CVE-2019-7165: A buffer overflow in DOSBox 0.74-2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-7165 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting dosbox, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A buffer overflow in DOSBox 0.74-2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 10%: 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	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.8% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2019-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · dosbox · fedoraproject

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-07-03 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dosbox dosbox DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.74-2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.74-2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.74-2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dosbox sudo apt install dosbox=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.74-2> sudo apt-mark hold dosbox

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

dnf --showduplicates list dosbox sudo dnf downgrade dosbox-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.74-2> sudo dnf versionlock add dosbox

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 30

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-2019-7165?

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

Is CVE-2019-7165 being exploited?

CVE-2019-7165 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-2019-7165 affect?

CVE-2019-7165 affects dosbox, debian linux, fedora. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A buffer overflow in DOSBox 0.74-2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code.

How urgent is CVE-2019-7165?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-12594 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE DOSBox 0.74-2 has Incorrect Access Control.

References

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