CVE-2019-10149

CVE-2019-10149 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Exim with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-01-10). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
• CVSS v2: 10.0
• EPSS exploit prediction: 100% (100th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-01-10)
• EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2019-2187
• EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-01-10)
• Weakness: CWE-78
• Affected product: Exim
• Published: 2019-06-05
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c may lead to remote command execution.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-10149?

A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c may lead to remote command execution.

How severe is CVE-2019-10149?

CVE-2019-10149 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-10149 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2019-10149 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-01-10, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-10149?

CVE-2019-10149 primarily affects Exim. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-10149?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.

Does CVE-2019-10149 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2019-10149 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2019-2187. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-01-10).

When was CVE-2019-10149 published?

CVE-2019-10149 was published on 2019-06-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00020.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153218/Exim-4.9.1-Remote-Command-Execution.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153312/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154198/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Jun/16
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/2
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/3
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/4
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/06/1
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/25/6
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/25/7
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/26/4
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/04/7
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108679
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2019-10149
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/5
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201906-01
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/4010-1/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4456
• https://www.exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2019-10149.txt
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-10149

Affected products (4)

• cpe:2.3:a:exim:exim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

• 166.62.41.190 (ipv4-addr)
• 50.62.22.47 (ipv4-addr)
• 192.169.201.223 (ipv4-addr)
• 191.101.33.225 (ipv4-addr)
• 108.167.177.224 (ipv4-addr)