IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2019-3568|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

WhatsApp VOIP Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

A buffer overflow vulnerability in WhatsApp VOIP stack allowed remote code execution via specially crafted series of RTCP packets sent to a target phone number.

Published May 14, 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 2022-05-10 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Meta Platforms WhatsApp. A buffer overflow vulnerability in WhatsApp VOIP stack allowed remote code execution via specially crafted series of RTCP packets sent to a target phone number. The issue affects WhatsApp for Android prior to v2.19.134, WhatsApp Business for Android prior to v2.19.44, WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.19.51, WhatsApp Business for iOS prior to v2.19.51, WhatsApp for Windows Phone prior to v2.18.348, and WhatsApp for Tizen prior to v2.18.15. 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 whatsapp: v < 2.18.15, v < 2.18.348, v < 2.19.51, v < 2.19.134; whatsapp business: v < 2.19.44, v < 2.19.51
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-04-19 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2022-05-10.

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
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-3568
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-3568
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2019-3568↗ NVD