CVE-2020-19189: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in postprocess_terminfo function in tinfo/parse_entry.c:997 in ncurses 6.1 allow

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MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-19189 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting ncurses, active iq unified manager, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in postprocess_terminfo function in tinfo/parse_entry.c:997 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted command.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2023-08-22
Last modified	2026-10-14

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · invisible-island · netapp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-22 19:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-14 10:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

invisible-island ncurses DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ncurses sudo apt install ncurses=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.1> sudo apt-mark hold ncurses

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

dnf --showduplicates list ncurses sudo dnf downgrade ncurses-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.1> sudo dnf versionlock add ncurses

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.

netapp active iq unified manager 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 active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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-2020-19189?

ncurses: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; active iq unified manager: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-19189 being exploited?

CVE-2020-19189 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-2020-19189 affect?

CVE-2020-19189 affects ncurses, active iq unified manager, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Buffer Overflow vulnerability in postprocess_terminfo function in tinfo/parse_entry.c:997 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted command.

How urgent is CVE-2020-19189?

Priority 54/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2020-19190 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Buffer Overflow vulnerability in _nc_find_entry in tinfo/comp_hash.c:70 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote attackers
CVE-2020-19188 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Buffer Overflow vulnerability in fmt_entry function in progs/dump_entry.c:1116 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote at
CVE-2020-19187 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Buffer Overflow vulnerability in fmt_entry function in progs/dump_entry.c:1100 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote at
CVE-2020-19186 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Buffer Overflow vulnerability in _nc_find_entry function in tinfo/comp_hash.c:66 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote

References

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