CVE-2019-13638
patch: OS shell command injection when processing crafted patch files
Severity
ImportantRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.0
Review impact separately from score.
Published · July 29, 2019
Updated · November 22, 2025
Description
A flaw was found in GNU patch through version 2.7.6. An ed-style diff payload patch file with shell metacharacters can be used to inject OS shell commands into a system. The ed editor does not need to be present on the vulnerable system for this attack to function. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
Statement
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 is not affected by this vulnerability as the shipped version of patch did not carry the code that introduced this flaw.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
No mitigation is specified in collected source.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.0 · 7.8CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-78 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')