CVE-2019-18898: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the trousers package of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 1

Q: How do I fix CVE-2019-18898?

trousers: upgrade to 0.3.14-6.3.1, 0.3.14-7.1; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2019-18898 being exploited?

CVE-2019-18898 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-2019-18898 affect?

CVE-2019-18898 affects trousers, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 7.7). UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the trousers package of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1; openSUSE Factory allowed local attackers escalate privileges from user tss to root. This issue affects: SUSE Linux Enterpri

Q: How urgent is CVE-2019-18898?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.7WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-18898 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.7) affecting trousers, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the trousers package of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1; openSUSE Factory allowed local attackers escalate privileges from user tss to root. This issue affects: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1 trousers versions prior to 0.3.14-6.3.1. openSUSE Factory trousers versions prior to 0.3.14-7.1.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.7 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 58%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2020-01-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): SUSE · Vendor: opensuse · suse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-01-23 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

suse trousers UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.3.14-6.3.1 · < 0.3.14-7.1

Fixed in: 0.3.14-6.3.1, 0.3.14-7.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 0.3.14-6.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade trousers

Note

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

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1

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-2019-18898?

trousers: upgrade to 0.3.14-6.3.1, 0.3.14-7.1; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-18898 being exploited?

CVE-2019-18898 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-2019-18898 affect?

CVE-2019-18898 affects trousers, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 7.7). UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the trousers package of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1; openSUSE Factory allowed local attackers escalate privileges from user tss to root. This issue affects: SUSE Linux Enterpri

How urgent is CVE-2019-18898?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-24332 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in TrouSerS through 0.3.14
CVE-2020-24331 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in TrouSerS through 0.3.14
CVE-2020-24330 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in TrouSerS through 0.3.14

References

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