Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2019-18426 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 23 May 2022

Gociux · Meta Platforms WhatsApp · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2019-18426, WhatsApp Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 23 May 2022, 853 days after it was published. It affects Meta Platforms WhatsApp. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 23 May 2022

ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use

EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited

severity8.2CVSS 3.1 · high

US federal due13 Jun 2022BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

A vulnerability in WhatsApp Desktop when paired with WhatsApp for iPhone allows cross-site scripting and local file reading.

Vendor	Meta Platforms (3 exploited CVEs in KEV)
Product	WhatsApp
Vulnerability	WhatsApp Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	21 Jan 2020
Added to KEV	23 May 2022
Reported by (CNA)	facebook

What to do

Check whether you run it. Look for WhatsApp in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Meta Platforms CVE at once.
Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 21 Jan 2020.
Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Meta Platforms.

Other exploited CVEs in WhatsApp

CVE-2025-55177: Meta Platforms WhatsApp Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability (2 Sep 2025)
CVE-2019-3568: WhatsApp VOIP Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (19 Apr 2022)

References

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-18426

Questions

Is CVE-2019-18426 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2019-18426 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 23 May 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2019-18426 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2019-18426?

Apply updates per vendor instructions. Check Meta Platforms's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected WhatsApp and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in May 2022 · Meta Platforms scorecard · act-now radar.

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