CVE-2019-9169: In the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) through 2.29, proceed_next_node in posix/regexec.c has a heap-based

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-9169 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting glibc, cloud backup, ontap select deploy administration utility. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) through 2.29, proceed_next_node in posix/regexec.c has a heap-based buffer over-read via an attempted case-insensitive regular-expression match.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.7% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2019-02-26
Last modified	2026-10-14

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · gnu · mcafee · netapp

Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-02-26 02:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-14 07:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu glibc UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.29

Fixed in: newer than 2.29

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.29 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade glibc

Note

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

netapp cloud backup 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 cloud-backup || rpm -q cloud-backup || cloud-backup --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

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

netapp ontap select deploy administration utility 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 ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || rpm -q ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

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

netapp steelstore cloud integrated storage 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 steelstore-cloud-integrated-storage || rpm -q steelstore-cloud-integrated-storage || steelstore-cloud-integrated-storage --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

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

mcafee web gateway UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.7.2.0 and < 7.7.2.21 · >= 7.8.2.0 and < 7.8.2.8 · >= 8.0.0 and < 8.1.1

Fixed in: 7.7.2.21, 7.8.2.8, 8.1.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.7.2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy web-gateway || rpm -q web-gateway || web-gateway --version

2. UPGRADE to 7.7.2.21 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade web-gateway

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade web-gateway

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 7.7.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison web-gateway sudo apt install web-gateway=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.7.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold web-gateway

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

dnf --showduplicates list web-gateway sudo dnf downgrade web-gateway-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.7.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add web-gateway

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 16.04 · 18.04 · 19.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 16.04

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400

Ubuntu 20.04 · glibc · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 12 · glibc · FIXED · 2.28-9

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade glibc dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' glibc)" ge "2.28-9" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · glibc · FIXED · 2.28-9

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade glibc dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' glibc)" ge "2.28-9" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 8 · glibc · FIXED · glibc-2.28-151.el8

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2021:1585 rpm -q glibc

RHEL 5 · glibc · DEFERRED

RHEL 6 · glibc · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · glibc · DEFERRED

Amazon Linux 2 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2-2021-1656 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2021-1656

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10278
Write-up: www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html

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-2019-9169?

glibc: upgrade to newer than 2.29; cloud backup: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ontap select deploy administration utility: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-9169 being exploited?

CVE-2019-9169 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-2019-9169 affect?

CVE-2019-9169 affects glibc, cloud backup, ontap select deploy administration utility. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) through 2.29, proceed_next_node in posix/regexec.c has a heap-based buffer over-read via an attempted case-insensitive regular-expression match.

How urgent is CVE-2019-9169?

Priority 72/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · glibc vulnerabilities · McAfee vulnerabilities

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References

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