Description
Exim 4.85 through 4.92 (fixed in 4.92.1) allows remote code execution as root in some unusual configurations that use the ${sort } expansion for items that can be controlled by an attacker (e.g., $local_part or $domain).
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | exim4 | 4.92-10 | — |
| Debian 13 | exim4 | 4.92-10 | — |
| Debian 12 | exim4 | 4.92-10 | — |
| Debian 10 | exim4 | 4.92-8+deb10u1 | DSA-4488-1 |
| Debian 9 | exim4 | 4.89-2+deb9u5 | DSA-4488-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | exim4 | 4.90.1-1ubuntu1.3 | USN-4075-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | exim4 | 4.86.2-2ubuntu2.4 | USN-4075-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP1 | exim | 4.94.2-bp151.2.4.1 | openSUSE-SU-2021:0753-1 |
| SUSE Package Hub 15 SP1 | libspf2 | 1.2.10-bp151.4.1 | openSUSE-SU-2021:0753-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | exim | 4.94.2-4.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10746-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
Show 11 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.9 | exim | 4.92.1-r0 | — |
Advisories 4
- USN-4075-1 exim4 vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-4488-1 exim4 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10746-1 exim-4.94.2-4.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2021:0753-1 Security update for exim SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2019-13917.txt
- DSA-4488 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20190726 Re: CVE-2019-13917 OVE-20190718-0006: Exim: security release ahead mailing-list
- 20190730 [SECURITY] [DSA 4488-1] exim4 security update mailing-list
- GLSA-201909-06 vendor-advisory