CVE-2019-16928
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitExim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846.
Published Sep 27, 2019 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2019-16928, DSA-4536-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2019-16928 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Exim, Ubuntu Linux (Canonical), Debian Linux and 11 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 3, 2022. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Exim 4.92-1.25.amzn1, Exim 4.92.2-r1, Exim 4.92.3-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
42%
Higher than 98.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2019-16928 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 3, 2022 | Mar 17, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 3, 2022 | Mar 17, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 3, 2022 | Mar 17, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 3, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
58 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| EximExim | See advisory | 4.92.2 |
| Ubuntu LinuxCanonical | 19.04 | n/a |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 29, 30, 31 | n/a |
| exim4debian | See advisory | 4.92.2-3 |
Patched Releases
Exim
4.92-1.25.amzn1, 4.92.2-r1, 4.92.3-1, 4.92.3-r0, 4.94.2-4.2, 4.94.2-bp151.2.4.1, 4.94.2-bp152.6.4.1, 4.94.2-lp152.8.3.1, <=4.92.2
exim-greylist
4.92-1.25.amzn1
exim-mon
4.92-1.25.amzn1
exim-mysql
4.92-1.25.amzn1
exim-pgsql
4.92-1.25.amzn1
exim4
4.92-8+deb10u3, 4.92.2-3
eximon
4.94.2-4.2, 4.94.2-bp151.2.4.1, 4.94.2-bp152.6.4.1, 4.94.2-lp152.8.3.1
eximstats-html
4.94.2-4.2, 4.94.2-bp151.2.4.1, 4.94.2-bp152.6.4.1, 4.94.2-lp152.8.3.1
libspf2-2
1.2.10-bp151.4.1, 1.2.10-bp152.5.1
libspf2-devel
1.2.10-bp151.4.1, 1.2.10-bp152.5.1
libspf2-tools
1.2.10-bp151.4.1, 1.2.10-bp152.5.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Sep 27, 2019
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 3, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 3, 2022
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-131 Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisoryhttps://lists.exim.org/lurker/message/20190927.032457.c1044d4c.en.html
- advisory20190929 [SECURITY] [DSA 4536-1] exim4 security update
- advisoryGLSA-202003-47
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-16928
- advisoryUSN-4141-1
FAQ
Common Questions.
Exim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846.
Affected: Exim; Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) versions 19.04; Debian Linux versions 10.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 3, 2022.
Yes. It was added on Mar 3, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Mar 17, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Exim 4.92-1.25.amzn1, Exim 4.92.2-r1, Exim 4.92.3-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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