Vulnerability identifier: #VU19504

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 6.5 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-13638

CWE-ID: CWE-78

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Patch
Server applications / File servers (FTP/HTTP)

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of ed style diff payload with shell metacharacters in patch files. A remote attacker can trick the victim to use a specially crafted patch file and execute arbitrary OS commands.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Patch: 2.7.0 - 2.7.6

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External links
http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/patch.git/commit/?id=3fcd042d26d70856e826a42b5f93dc4854d80bf0
http://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-13638
http://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4489

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.