CVE-2008-7319: The Net::Ping::External extension through 0.15 for Perl does not properly sanitize arguments (e.g., invalid ho

Q: How do I fix CVE-2008-7319?

net-ping-external: upgrade to newer than 0.15. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2008-7319 being exploited?

CVE-2008-7319 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2008-7319 affect?

CVE-2008-7319 affects net-ping-external. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Net::Ping::External extension through 0.15 for Perl does not properly sanitize arguments (e.g., invalid hostnames) containing shell metacharacters before use of backticks in External.pm, allowing for shell command injection and arbitrar

Q: How urgent is CVE-2008-7319?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2008-7319 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting net-ping-external. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Net::Ping::External extension through 0.15 for Perl does not properly sanitize arguments (e.g., invalid hostnames) containing shell metacharacters before use of backticks in External.pm, allowing for shell command injection and arbitrary command execution if untrusted input is used.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	6.5% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77
Published	2017-11-07
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: net-ping-external project

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-11-07 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

net-ping-external project net-ping-external UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.15

Fixed in: newer than 0.15

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy net-ping-external || rpm -q net-ping-external || net-ping-external --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.15 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade net-ping-external

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade net-ping-external

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2008-7319?

net-ping-external: upgrade to newer than 0.15. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-7319 being exploited?

CVE-2008-7319 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2008-7319 affect?

CVE-2008-7319 affects net-ping-external. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The Net::Ping::External extension through 0.15 for Perl does not properly sanitize arguments (e.g., invalid hostnames) containing shell metacharacters before use of backticks in External.pm, allowing for shell command injection and arbitrar

How urgent is CVE-2008-7319?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Perl vulnerabilities

References

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