# CVE-2019-8720: WebKitGTK Memory Corruption

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into visiting malicious web content processed by WebKitGTK.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 23 May 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 6 Mar 2023
- **Updated:** 7 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2019-8720, GHSA-5cgp-g38q-m4xj, UBUNTU-CVE-2019-8720

## What is CVE-2019-8720?

CVE-2019-8720 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux, published on 6 Mar 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A vulnerability was found in WebKit. The flaw is triggered when processing maliciously crafted web content that may lead to arbitrary code execution. Improved memory handling addresses the multiple memory corruption issues.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-8720?

It affects 23 products.


Products: Redhat Codeready Linux Builder, Redhat Codeready Linux Builder Eus, Redhat Codeready Linux Builder for Arm64 Eus, Redhat Codeready Linux Builder for Ibm Z Systems Eus, Redhat Codeready Linux Builder for Power Little Endian Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Arm64 Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Ibm Z Systems, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Ibm Z Systems Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power Big Endian, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power Little Endian, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power Little Endian Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Aus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server for Power Little Endian Update Services for Sap Solutions, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Tus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Update Services for Sap Solutions and 3 more.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-8720?

Apply the vendor's patch. US federal agencies must fix it by 13 Jun 2022.

## Is CVE-2019-8720 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-8720 in the wild since at least 23 May 2022.

## Other vulnerabilities in Redhat Enterprise Linux

- [CVE-2023-4641](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4641/): Shadow-utils: possible password leak during passwd(1) change (medium 4.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-8720 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-8720 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux, published on 6 Mar 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2019-8720 in the wild since at least 23 May 2022.

Affected product: Redhat Enterprise Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8720/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8720/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-8720
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8720
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-8720

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-8720/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.