CVE-2019-15846: Exim before 4.92.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a trailing backslash.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2019-15846?

exim: upgrade to 4.92.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2019-15846 being exploited?

CVE-2019-15846 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-2019-15846 affect?

CVE-2019-15846 affects exim, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Exim before 4.92.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a trailing backslash.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2019-15846?

Priority 74/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-15846 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting exim, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Exim before 4.92.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a trailing backslash.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: 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	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	35.7% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2019-09-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · exim

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-09-06 11:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

exim exim UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.92.2

Fixed in: 4.92.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 4.92.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade exim

Note

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

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · libopenmpt · FIXED · 0.8.10-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-a9998621be · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-a9998621be

Debian 12 · exim4 · FIXED · 4.92.1-3

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade exim4 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' exim4)" ge "4.92.1-3" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · exim4 · FIXED · 4.92.1-3

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade exim4 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' exim4)" ge "4.92.1-3" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 5 · exim · DEFERRED

Alpine 3.20 · exim · FIXED · exim-4.92.2-r0

apk add --upgrade exim apk info -v exim

Alpine 3.21 · exim · FIXED · exim-4.92.2-r0

apk add --upgrade exim apk info -v exim

Alpine 3.22 · exim · FIXED · exim-4.92.2-r0

apk add --upgrade exim apk info -v exim

Alpine 3.23 · exim · FIXED · exim-4.92.2-r0

apk add --upgrade exim apk info -v exim

Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2019-1277 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2019-1277

Public exploits and detection

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

GitHub PoC: synacktiv/Exim-CVE-2019-15846 (30 stars)
Write-up: exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2019-15846.txt
Write-up: www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/672565

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-2019-15846?

exim: upgrade to 4.92.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-15846 being exploited?

CVE-2019-15846 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-2019-15846 affect?

CVE-2019-15846 affects exim, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Exim before 4.92.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via a trailing backslash.

How urgent is CVE-2019-15846?

Priority 74/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Exim vulnerabilities

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References

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