CVE-2019-10149
Confirmed PUBLISHEDA flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c may lead to remote command execution.
- CVE Published
- Jun 05, 2019
- Exploitation Reported
- Jan 10, 2022
- CVSS
- 9.0 Critical
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| exim |
exim
|
4.92 |
Affected |
CVE References
- USN-4010-1 usn.ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory https://usn.ubuntu.com/4010-1/
- DSA-4456 debian.org · Vendor Advisory https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4456
- GLSA-201906-01 security.gentoo.org · Vendor Advisory https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201906-01
- openSUSE-SU-2019:1524 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00020...
- 108679 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108679
Show 15 more references
- [oss-security] 20190605 Re: CVE-2019-10149: Exim 4.87 to 4.91: possible remote exploit openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/2
- [oss-security] 20190605 Re: CVE-2019-10149: Exim 4.87 to 4.91: possible remote exploit openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/3
- [oss-security] 20190605 Re: CVE-2019-10149: Exim 4.87 to 4.91: possible remote exploit openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/05/4
- 20190605 [SECURITY] [DSA 4456-1] exim4 security update seclists.org · Mailing List https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jun/5
- [oss-security] 20190606 Re: CVE-2019-10149: Exim 4.87 to 4.91: possible remote exploit openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/06/06/1
- 20190611 The Return of the WIZard: RCE in Exim (CVE-2019-10149) seclists.org · Mailing List http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Jun/16
- [oss-security] 20190725 Re: Statistics for distros lists updated for 2019Q2 openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/25/6
- [oss-security] 20190725 Re: Statistics for distros lists updated for 2019Q2 openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/25/7
- [oss-security] 20190726 Re: Statistics for distros lists updated for 2019Q2 openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/07/26/4
- [oss-security] 20210504 21Nails: Multiple vulnerabilities in Exim openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/04/7
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi bugzilla.redhat.com · CVE Record https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2019-10149
- exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2019-10149.txt exim.org · CVE Record https://www.exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2019-10149.txt
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/153218/Exim-4.9.1-Remote-Command-Execu... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153218/Exim-4.9.1-Remote-Command...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/153312/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege-Escal... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153312/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege...
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154198/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege-Escal... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154198/Exim-4.91-Local-Privilege...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2022-01-10 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/local/exim4_deliver_message_priv_esc.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2022-01-10 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2019-06-12 03:47:16 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/local/exim4_deliver_message_priv_esc.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2024-09-06 16:21:17 UTC · 0 stars
test POC for CVE-2019-10149
github · Created 2020-05-12 15:11:54 UTC · 0 stars
SNP Assignment on a Linux vulnerability
github · Created 2019-10-27 01:03:11 UTC · 16 stars
CVE-2019-10149 : A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validation of recipient address in deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c may lead to remote command execution.
github · Created 2019-10-21 08:13:27 UTC · 4 stars
Instructions for installing a vulnerable version of Exim and its expluatation
github · Created 2019-06-27 01:34:41 UTC · 9 stars
CVE-2019-10149 privilege escalation
github · Created 2019-06-14 14:02:43 UTC · 1 stars
Simple Bash shell quick fix CVE-2019-10149
github · Created 2019-06-13 23:21:53 UTC · 14 stars
PoC for CVE-2019-10149, this vulnerability could be xploited betwen 4-87 to 4.91 version of Exim server.
github · Created 2019-06-12 03:47:16 UTC · 13 stars
simple python socket connection to test if exim is vulnerable to CVE-2019-10149. The payload simply touch a file in /tmp/eximrce.
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
03:47 UTC about 7 years ago03:47 UTC · about 7 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC about 7 years ago00:00 UTC · about 7 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 7 years ago00:00 UTC · over 7 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2019-10149
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2019-10149",
"title": "A flaw was found in Exim versions 4.87 to 4.91 (inclusive). Improper validati...",
"affected_vendor": "exim",
"affected_product": "exim",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 9.0,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}