VULNERABILITY INTELLIGENCE
CVE-2019-18659
CVSS score5.3 MEDIUM
EPSS probability0.98%
CISA KEVNot currently listed
Published2019-11-02
Last modified2026-06-17
CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Description
The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) protocol allows remote attackers to spoof a Presidential Alert because cryptographic authentication is not used, as demonstrated by MessageIdentifier 4370 in LTE System Information Block 12 (aka SIB12). NOTE: testing inside an RF-isolated shield box suggested that all LTE phones are affected by design (e.g., use of Android versus iOS does not matter); testing in an open RF environment is, of course, contraindicated.
Weakness classification
- nvd@nist.gov: CWE-290
Primary references
- cve@mitre.org — Third Party Advisory
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 — Third Party Advisory