CVE-2019-20138: The HTTP Authentication library before 2019-12-27 for Nim has weak password hashing because the default algori

Q: How do I fix CVE-2019-20138?

http authentication library: upgrade to 2019-12-27. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2019-20138 being exploited?

CVE-2019-20138 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-2019-20138 affect?

CVE-2019-20138 affects http authentication library. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The HTTP Authentication library before 2019-12-27 for Nim has weak password hashing because the default algorithm for libsodium's crypto_pwhash_str is not used.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2019-20138?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2019-20138 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting http authentication library. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The HTTP Authentication library before 2019-12-27 for Nim has weak password hashing because the default algorithm for libsodium's crypto_pwhash_str is not used.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-327, CWE-916
Published	2019-12-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: http authentication library project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-12-30 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

http authentication library project http authentication library UPGRADE

Affected: < 2019-12-27

Fixed in: 2019-12-27

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy http-authentication-library || rpm -q http-authentication-library || http-authentication-library --version

2. UPGRADE to 2019-12-27 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade http-authentication-library

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade http-authentication-library

Note

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

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-2019-20138?

http authentication library: upgrade to 2019-12-27. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-20138 being exploited?

CVE-2019-20138 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-2019-20138 affect?

CVE-2019-20138 affects http authentication library. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The HTTP Authentication library before 2019-12-27 for Nim has weak password hashing because the default algorithm for libsodium's crypto_pwhash_str is not used.

How urgent is CVE-2019-20138?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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