IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2019-16928|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Exim Out-of-bounds Write Vulnerability

Exim contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability which can allow for remote code execution.

Published Sep 27, 2019 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-03-17 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Exim Exim Internet Mailer. Exim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in string_vformat in string.c involving a long EHLO command. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

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Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

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Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running exim: 4.92 ≤ v ≤ 4.92.2; ubuntu linux: 19.04; debian linux: 10.0; fedora: 29, 30, 31
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/1

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2449
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-16928
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-16928
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