CVE-2012-2248: An issue was discovered in dhclient 4.3.1-6 due to an embedded path variable.

This month

HIGH 8.1REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2012-2248 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting dhclient, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in dhclient 4.3.1-6 due to an embedded path variable.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2019-11-27
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: debian · dhclient project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-11-27 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dhclient project dhclient DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.3.1-6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.3.1-6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dhclient || rpm -q dhclient || dhclient --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.3.1-6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dhclient sudo apt install dhclient=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3.1-6> sudo apt-mark hold dhclient

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list dhclient sudo dnf downgrade dhclient-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3.1-6> sudo dnf versionlock add dhclient

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2012-2248?

dhclient: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-2248 being exploited?

CVE-2012-2248 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-2012-2248 affect?

CVE-2012-2248 affects dhclient, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). An issue was discovered in dhclient 4.3.1-6 due to an embedded path variable.

How urgent is CVE-2012-2248?

Priority 59/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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