CVE-2019-6472: A packet containing a malformed DUID can cause the Kea DHCPv6 server process (kea-dhcp6) to exit due to an ass

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2019-6472 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting kea. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A packet containing a malformed DUID can cause the Kea DHCPv6 server process (kea-dhcp6) to exit due to an assertion failure. Versions affected: 1.4.0 to 1.5.0, 1.6.0-beta1, and 1.6.0-beta2.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-617
Published	2019-10-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) · Vendor: isc

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-10-16 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

isc kea UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.4.0 and <= 1.5.0 · 1.6.0 beta1 · 1.6.0 beta2

Fixed in: newer than 1.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kea

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kea sudo apt install kea=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold kea

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list kea sudo dnf downgrade kea-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add kea

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-2019-6472?

kea: upgrade to newer than 1.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-6472 being exploited?

CVE-2019-6472 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-2019-6472 affect?

CVE-2019-6472 affects kea. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A packet containing a malformed DUID can cause the Kea DHCPv6 server process (kea-dhcp6) to exit due to an assertion failure. Versions affected: 1.4.0 to 1.5.0, 1.6.0-beta1, and 1.6.0-beta2.

How urgent is CVE-2019-6472?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-6474 MEDIUM 5.7 UPGRADE A missing check on incoming client requests can be exploited to cause a situation where the Kea server's lease
CVE-2019-6473 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An invalid hostname option can trigger an assertion failure in the Kea DHCPv4 server process (kea-dhcp4), caus
CVE-2018-5739 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE An extension to hooks capabilities which debuted in Kea 1.4.0 introduced a memory leak for operators who are u

References

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