CVE-2019-9706: Vixie Cron before the 3.0pl1-133 Debian package allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-fre

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-9706 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting cron, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Vixie Cron before the 3.0pl1-133 Debian package allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and daemon crash) because of a force_rescan_user error.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2019-03-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-03-12 01:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:44 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian cron DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0 · 3.0 pl1 · 3.0 pl1-100 · 3.0 pl1-101 · 3.0 pl1-102 · 3.0 pl1-103 · 3.0 pl1-104 · 3.0 pl1-105

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cron sudo apt install cron=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold cron

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

dnf --showduplicates list cron sudo dnf downgrade cron-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cron

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.

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-2019-9706?

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

Is CVE-2019-9706 being exploited?

CVE-2019-9706 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-2019-9706 affect?

CVE-2019-9706 affects cron, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Vixie Cron before the 3.0pl1-133 Debian package allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and daemon crash) because of a force_rescan_user error.

How urgent is CVE-2019-9706?

Priority 39/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-9705 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE Vixie Cron before the 3.0pl1-133 Debian package allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consum
CVE-2019-9704 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE Vixie Cron before the 3.0pl1-133 Debian package allows local users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash)
CVE-2017-9525 MEDIUM 6.7 UPGRADE MITIGATE In the cron package through 3.0pl1-128 on Debian, and through 3.0pl1-128ubuntu2 on Ubuntu, the postinst mainta

References

← Back to latest CVEs