CVE-2019-12171: Dropbox.exe (and QtWebEngineProcess.exe in the Web Helper) in the Dropbox desktop application 71.4.108.0 store

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-12171 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting dropbox. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Dropbox.exe (and QtWebEngineProcess.exe in the Web Helper) in the Dropbox desktop application 71.4.108.0 store cleartext credentials in memory upon successful login or new account creation. These are not securely freed in the running process.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-312, CWE-522
Published	2019-07-08
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: dropbox

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-07-08 13:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dropbox dropbox DOWNGRADE

Affected: 71.4.108.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 71.4.108.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 71.4.108.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dropbox sudo apt install dropbox=<VERSION_BEFORE_71.4.108.0> sudo apt-mark hold dropbox

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

dnf --showduplicates list dropbox sudo dnf downgrade dropbox-<VERSION_BEFORE_71.4.108.0> sudo dnf versionlock add dropbox

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-2019-12171?

dropbox: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-12171 being exploited?

CVE-2019-12171 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-2019-12171 affect?

CVE-2019-12171 affects dropbox. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Dropbox.exe (and QtWebEngineProcess.exe in the Web Helper) in the Dropbox desktop application 71.4.108.0 store cleartext credentials in memory upon successful login or new account creation. These are not securely freed in the running proces

How urgent is CVE-2019-12171?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Dropbox vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-12446 LOW 3.6 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in the com.dropbox.android application 98.2.2 for Android
CVE-2018-12445 LOW 3.1 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in the com.dropbox.android application 98.2.2 for Android
CVE-2018-12271 MEDIUM 6.4 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in the com.getdropbox.Dropbox app 100.2 for iOS
CVE-2010-3354 MEDIUM 6.9 DOWNGRADE dropboxd in Dropbox 0.7.110 places a zero-length directory name in the LD_LIBRARY_PATH, which allows local use
CVE-2007-0974 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Ian Bezanson DropBox before 0.0.4 beta have unknown impact and attack

References

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