OpenSSH 7.7 through 7.9 and 8.x before 8.1, when compiled with an experimental key type…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-190 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
OpenSSH 7.7 through 7.9 and 8.x before 8.1, when compiled with an experimental key type, has a pre-authentication integer overflow if a client or server is configured to use a crafted XMSS key. This leads to memory corruption and local code execution because of an error in the XMSS key parsing algorithm. NOTE: the XMSS implementation is considered experimental in all released OpenSSH versions, and there is no supported way to enable it when building portable OpenSSH.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.7 – 7.9; 8.0 to before 8.1 | Vulnerable | OpenBSD |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:steelstore_cloud_integrated_storage:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.2.7 | Vulnerable | Siemens |
| cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Siemens |
| cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.2.7 | Vulnerable | Siemens |
| cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Siemens |
- cpe:2.3:a:openbsd:openssh:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.7 – 7.9; 8.0 to before 8.1 Vulnerable ·OpenBSD
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:steelstore_cloud_integrated_storage:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.2.7 Vulnerable ·Siemens
- cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Siemens
- cpe:2.3:o:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.2.7 Vulnerable ·Siemens
- cpe:2.3:h:siemens:scalance_x204rna_ecc:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Siemens
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 4 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-16905
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-qw5m-v83j-4g26
References
Exploit 1
Patch 1
Advisory 6
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/10/09/1
- https://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/src/usr.bin/ssh/sshkey-xmss.c
- https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1153537
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20191024-0003/
- GLSA-201911-01
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-412672.pdf
Sources
- CVE-2019-16905 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-16905 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-qw5m-v83j-4g26 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2019-16905 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences