CVE-2019-11038: When using the gdImageCreateFromXbm() function in the GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5, as used in the PH

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MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-11038 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting libgd, php, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

When using the gdImageCreateFromXbm() function in the GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5, as used in the PHP GD extension in PHP versions 7.1.x below 7.1.30, 7.2.x below 7.2.19 and 7.3.x below 7.3.6, it is possible to supply data that will cause the function to use the value of uninitialized variable. This may lead to disclosing contents of the stack that has been left there by previous code.

Why this priority

EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.3% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-457, CWE-908
Published	2019-06-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): PHP Group · Vendor: canonical · debian · fedoraproject · libgd · php · suse

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-06-19 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

libgd libgd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libgd sudo apt install libgd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5> sudo apt-mark hold libgd

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

dnf --showduplicates list libgd sudo dnf downgrade libgd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5> sudo dnf versionlock add libgd

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.

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.1.0 and < 7.1.30 · >= 7.2.0 and < 7.2.19 · >= 7.3.0 and < 7.3.6

Fixed in: 7.1.30, 7.2.19, 7.3.6

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 7.1.30 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade php

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.1.0> sudo apt-mark hold php

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list php sudo dnf downgrade php-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add php

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04 · 19.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 29 · 30 · 32

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 29

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.

suse linux enterprise debuginfo DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11 sp4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy linux-enterprise-debuginfo || rpm -q linux-enterprise-debuginfo || linux-enterprise-debuginfo --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison linux-enterprise-debuginfo sudo apt install linux-enterprise-debuginfo=<VERSION_BEFORE_11> sudo apt-mark hold linux-enterprise-debuginfo

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

dnf --showduplicates list linux-enterprise-debuginfo sudo dnf downgrade linux-enterprise-debuginfo-<VERSION_BEFORE_11> sudo dnf versionlock add linux-enterprise-debuginfo

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.

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-2019-11038?

libgd: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; php: upgrade to 7.1.30, 7.2.19, 7.3.6; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-11038 being exploited?

CVE-2019-11038 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-2019-11038 affect?

CVE-2019-11038 affects libgd, php, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). When using the gdImageCreateFromXbm() function in the GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5, as used in the PHP GD extension in PHP versions 7.1.x below 7.1.30, 7.2.x below 7.2.19 and 7.3.x below 7.3.6, it is possible to supply data that wi

How urgent is CVE-2019-11038?

Priority 56/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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