CVE-2019-18659
CVE-2019-18659 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ready Wireless Emergency Alerts with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-290.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
- CVSS v2: 5.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (58th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-290
- Affected product: Ready Wireless Emergency Alerts
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) protocol allows remote attackers to spoof a Presidential Alert because cryptographic authentication is not used, as demonstrated by MessageIdentifier 4370 in LTE System Information Block 12 (aka SIB12). NOTE: testing inside an RF-isolated shield box suggested that all LTE phones are affected by design (e.g., use of Android versus iOS does not matter); testing in an open RF environment is, of course, contraindicated.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2019-18659?
- The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) protocol allows remote attackers to spoof a Presidential Alert because cryptographic authentication is not used, as demonstrated by MessageIdentifier 4370 in LTE System Information Block 12 (aka SIB12). NOTE: testing inside an RF-isolated shield box suggested that all LTE phones are affected by design (e.g., use of Android versus iOS does not matter); testing in an open RF environment is, of course, contraindicated.
- How severe is CVE-2019-18659?
- CVE-2019-18659 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity low, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2019-18659 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (58th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2019-18659?
- CVE-2019-18659 affects Ready Wireless Emergency Alerts. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2019-18659?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2019-18659 published?
- CVE-2019-18659 was published on 2019-11-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:ready:wireless_emergency_alerts:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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