How severe is CVE-2019-12209?

CVE-2019-12209 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2019-12209 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-12209?

CVE-2019-12209 affects Yubico Pam-u2f. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-12209?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-12209 published?

CVE-2019-12209 was published on 2019-06-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-12209

CVE-2019-12209 is a high-severity vulnerability in Yubico Pam-u2f with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (85th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Yubico Pam-u2f
Published: 2019-06-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Yubico pam-u2f 1.0.7 attempts parsing of the configured authfile (default $HOME/.config/Yubico/u2f_keys) as root (unless openasuser was enabled), and does not properly verify that the path lacks symlinks pointing to other files on the system owned by root. If the debug option is enabled in the PAM configuration, part of the file contents of a symlink target will be logged, possibly revealing sensitive information.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-12209?: Yubico pam-u2f 1.0.7 attempts parsing of the configured authfile (default $HOME/.config/Yubico/u2f_keys) as root (unless openasuser was enabled), and does not properly verify that the path lacks symlinks pointing to other files on the system owned by root. If the debug option is enabled in the PAM configuration, part of the file contents of a symlink target will be logged, possibly revealing sensitive information.
How severe is CVE-2019-12209?: CVE-2019-12209 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2019-12209 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-12209?: CVE-2019-12209 affects Yubico Pam-u2f. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-12209?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-12209 published?: CVE-2019-12209 was published on 2019-06-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:yubico:pam-u2f:1.0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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