How severe is CVE-2019-19522?

CVE-2019-19522 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-19522 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-19522?

CVE-2019-19522 affects Openbsd. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-19522?

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-2019-19522 published?

CVE-2019-19522 was published on 2019-12-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-19522

CVE-2019-19522 is a high-severity vulnerability in Openbsd 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-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Openbsd
Published: 2019-12-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

OpenBSD 6.6, in a non-default configuration where S/Key or YubiKey authentication is enabled, allows local users to become root by leveraging membership in the auth group. This occurs because root's file can be written to /etc/skey or /var/db/yubikey, and need not be owned by root.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-19522?: OpenBSD 6.6, in a non-default configuration where S/Key or YubiKey authentication is enabled, allows local users to become root by leveraging membership in the auth group. This occurs because root's file can be written to /etc/skey or /var/db/yubikey, and need not be owned by root.
How severe is CVE-2019-19522?: CVE-2019-19522 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-19522 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-19522?: CVE-2019-19522 affects Openbsd. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-19522?: 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-2019-19522 published?: CVE-2019-19522 was published on 2019-12-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:openbsd:openbsd:6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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