CVE-2019-11040: When PHP EXIF extension is parsing EXIF information from an image, e.g

This week

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-11040 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting php, software collections, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

When PHP EXIF extension is parsing EXIF information from an image, e.g. via exif_read_data() function, 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 it with data what will cause it to read past the allocated buffer. This may lead to information disclosure or crash.

Why this priority

Critical severity
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	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.1% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2019-06-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): PHP Group · Vendor: debian · opensuse · php · redhat

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

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.

redhat software collections DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy software-collections || rpm -q software-collections || software-collections --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison software-collections sudo apt install software-collections=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold software-collections

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

dnf --showduplicates list software-collections sudo dnf downgrade software-collections-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add software-collections

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.0 · 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · nodejs-pnpm12 · FIXED · 12.17.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7adfb2bcdd · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7adfb2bcdd

Fedora ELN · wget2 · FIXED · 2.3.0-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-811b4922a5 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-811b4922a5

RHEL 5 · php · DEFERRED

RHEL 5 · php53 · DEFERRED

RHEL 6 · php · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · php · DEFERRED

Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2019-1240 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2019-1240

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: hackerone.com/reports/665330

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-2019-11040?

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

Is CVE-2019-11040 being exploited?

CVE-2019-11040 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-2019-11040 affect?

CVE-2019-11040 affects php, software collections, leap. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). When PHP EXIF extension is parsing EXIF information from an image, e.g. via exif_read_data() function, 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 it with data what will cause it to

How urgent is CVE-2019-11040?

Priority 70/100. Critical severity; 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 · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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