CVE-2019-14744

CVE-2019-14744 is a high-severity vulnerability in Kde Kconfig with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-78.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• CVSS v2: 5.1
• EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-78
• Affected product: Kde Kconfig
• Published: 2019-08-07
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In KDE Frameworks KConfig before 5.61.0, malicious desktop files and configuration files lead to code execution with minimal user interaction. This relates to libKF5ConfigCore.so, and the mishandling of .desktop and .directory files, as demonstrated by a shell command on an Icon line in a .desktop file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-14744?

In KDE Frameworks KConfig before 5.61.0, malicious desktop files and configuration files lead to code execution with minimal user interaction. This relates to libKF5ConfigCore.so, and the mishandling of .desktop and .directory files, as demonstrated by a shell command on an Icon line in a .desktop file.

How severe is CVE-2019-14744?

CVE-2019-14744 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-14744 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-14744?

CVE-2019-14744 primarily affects Kde Kconfig. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-14744?

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-2019-14744 published?

CVE-2019-14744 was published on 2019-08-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00013.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00016.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00034.html
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153981/Slackware-Security-Advisory-kdelibs-Updates.html
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2606
• https://gist.githubusercontent.com/zeropwn/630832df151029cb8f22d5b6b9efaefb/raw/64aa3d30279acb207f787ce9c135eefd5e52643b/kde-kdesktopfile-command-injection.txt
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/08/msg00023.html
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5IRIKH7ZWXELIQT6WSLV7EG3VTFWKZPD/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FNHO6FZRYBQ2R3UCFDGS66F6DNNTKCMM/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/UYKLUSSEK3YJOVQDL6K2LKGS3354UH6L/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/WTFBQRJAU7ITD3TOMPZAUQMYYCAZ6DTX/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YIDXQ6CUB5E7Y3MJWCUY4VR42QAE6SCJ/
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Aug/12
• https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Aug/9
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201908-07
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/4100-1/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4494
• https://www.zdnet.com/article/unpatched-kde-vulnerability-disclosed-on-twitter/

Affected products (12)

• cpe:2.3:a:kde:kconfig:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:29:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:opensuse:backports_sle:15.0:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:19.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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