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CVE Record

CVE-2019-13638: GNU patch through 2.7.6 is vulnerable to OS shell command injection that can be exploited by opening a craf...

GNU patch through 2.7.6 is vulnerable to OS shell command injection that can be exploited by opening a crafted patch file that contains an ed style diff payload with shell metacharacters. The ed editor does not need to be present on the vulnerable system. This is different from CVE-2018-1000156.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

GNU patch can be tricked into running shell commands when someone applies a malicious patch file. This matters most where developers, package builders, or automation consume patches from outside trusted channels. The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for developer workstations and build infrastructure because compromise there can affect source code, packages, or release artifacts. General user systems are lower urgency unless they process untrusted patch files.

Technical view

CVE-2019-13638 affects GNU patch through 2.7.6. A crafted ed-style diff containing shell metacharacters can trigger OS command injection. The CVE states the ed editor does not need to be installed. This is distinct from CVE-2018-1000156.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely on Linux and Unix systems, build hosts, CI jobs, packaging infrastructure, and developer workstations that run vulnerable GNU patch versions against untrusted patch files.

Exploitation context

Exploitation requires a crafted patch file being opened or applied by vulnerable GNU patch. The bundle includes public vulnerability details, but no KEV entry and no cited evidence of active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The source bundle identifies GNU patch through 2.7.6 and a Savannah fix commit. Affected CPE data and CVSS are absent, so version validation should rely on OS vendor advisories and package changelogs.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory systems and pipelines that include GNU patch through 2.7.6.
  • Apply vendor security updates from Debian, Gentoo, Fedora, Red Hat, or relevant platform vendors.
  • Avoid applying patches from untrusted sources until GNU patch is updated.
  • Review build and CI workflows that automatically process external patch submissions.

Validation and detection

  • Check installed GNU patch versions across endpoints, servers, containers, and build images.
  • Confirm vendor advisory packages or fixed builds are deployed.
  • Search CI and packaging jobs for automated patch application from external inputs.
  • Verify controls reject or quarantine untrusted patch files before processing.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
11

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2019-13638 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
15Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.