CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-19843NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

Red Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-19843 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Red Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.48% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Red Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 11.7 E4S for RHEL 8Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 11.9 for RHEL 8Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 12.2 E4S for RHEL 9Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 12.4 E4S for RHEL 9Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 12.6 EUS for RHEL 9Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 12.8 for RHEL 9Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 13.0 EUS for RHEL 10Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 13.2 for RHEL 10Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 11Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Directory Server 12Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Enterprise Linux 10Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Enterprise Linux 6Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Enterprise Linux 7Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Enterprise Linux 8Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Enterprise Linux 9Not specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).

Official description

A flaw was found in 389-ds-base. The Cockpit 389 Console's LDAP editor constructs an ldapsearch command by embedding an LDAP entry's distinguished name (DN) into a shell command string without proper escaping. An LDAP user with delegated privileges to create or rename directory entries could craft a malicious DN containing shell metacharacters. When a Cockpit administrator subsequently views the entry in the 389 Console, the embedded shell command executes with root privileges on the directory server host.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8

All Red Hat Directory Server 11.5 E4S for RHEL 8 vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.