CVE-2019-16707: Hunspell 1.7.0 has an invalid read operation in SuggestMgr::leftcommonsubstring in suggestmgr.cxx.

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MEDIUM 6.5DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-16707 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting hunspell, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Hunspell 1.7.0 has an invalid read operation in SuggestMgr::leftcommonsubstring in suggestmgr.cxx.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2019-09-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · hunspell project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-09-23 12:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:22 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hunspell project hunspell DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison hunspell sudo apt install hunspell=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold hunspell

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

dnf --showduplicates list hunspell sudo dnf downgrade hunspell-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add hunspell

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 30 · 31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 30

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-2019-16707?

hunspell: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-16707 being exploited?

CVE-2019-16707 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-2019-16707 affect?

CVE-2019-16707 affects hunspell, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Hunspell 1.7.0 has an invalid read operation in SuggestMgr::leftcommonsubstring in suggestmgr.cxx.

How urgent is CVE-2019-16707?

Priority 47/100. Public exploit reference

References

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