CVE-2019-6690: python-gnupg 0.4.3 allows context-dependent attackers to trick gnupg to decrypt other ciphertext than intended

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-6690 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting python-gnupg, debian linux, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

python-gnupg 0.4.3 allows context-dependent attackers to trick gnupg to decrypt other ciphertext than intended. To perform the attack, the passphrase to gnupg must be controlled by the adversary and the ciphertext should be trusted. Related to a "CWE-20: Improper Input Validation" issue affecting the affect functionality component.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	8.6% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2019-03-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · opensuse · python · suse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-03-21 16:01 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

python python-gnupg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.4.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.4.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy python-gnupg || rpm -q python-gnupg || python-gnupg --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.4.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison python-gnupg sudo apt install python-gnupg=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.4.3> sudo apt-mark hold python-gnupg

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

dnf --showduplicates list python-gnupg sudo dnf downgrade python-gnupg-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.4.3> sudo dnf versionlock add python-gnupg

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

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.

suse backports MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 18.04 · 18.10 · 19.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 18.04

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-2019-6690?

python-gnupg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-6690 being exploited?

CVE-2019-6690 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-2019-6690 affect?

CVE-2019-6690 affects python-gnupg, debian linux, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). python-gnupg 0.4.3 allows context-dependent attackers to trick gnupg to decrypt other ciphertext than intended. To perform the attack, the passphrase to gnupg must be controlled by the adversary and the ciphertext should be trusted. Related

How urgent is CVE-2019-6690?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · GnuPG vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2014-1929 MEDIUM 4.4 DOWNGRADE python-gnupg 0.3.5 and 0.3.6 allows context-dependent attackers to have an unspecified impact via vectors rela
CVE-2014-1928 MEDIUM 4.6 UPGRADE The shell_quote function in python-gnupg 0.3.5 does not properly escape characters, which allows context-depen
CVE-2014-1927 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE The shell_quote function in python-gnupg 0.3.5 does not properly quote strings, which allows context-dependent
CVE-2013-7323 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE python-gnupg before 0.3.5 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metachara

References

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