MEDIUM
CVE-2019-18849
CWE-125Published: November 11, 2019· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
In tnef before 1.4.18, an attacker may be able to write to the victim's .ssh/authorized_keys file via an e-mail message with a crafted winmail.dat application/ms-tnef attachment, because of a heap-based buffer over-read involving strdup.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2019-18849 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.
A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
tnef_project1 product(s)
tnef
Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4524-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4524-1/
All References (14)
→
https://github.com/verdammelt/tnef/compare/1.4.17...1.4.18Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/verdammelt/tnef/pull/40Exploit · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/11/msg00035.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/08/msg00025.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4524-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/verdammelt/tnef/compare/1.4.17...1.4.18Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/verdammelt/tnef/pull/40Exploit · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/11/msg00035.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/08/msg00025.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4524-1/Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2019-18849
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-125
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 11, 2019
Related CVEs (CWE-125)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2019-18849 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.