CVE-2019-3568: WhatsApp VOIP Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2019-3568 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Meta Platforms WhatsApp. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 19-04-2022. EPSS estimates a 30.08% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 98.2% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 14-05-2019
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 19-04-2022
   Added to CISA KEVWhatsApp VOIP Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
3. 10-05-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A buffer overflow vulnerability in WhatsApp VOIP stack allowed remote code execution via specially crafted series of RTCP packets sent to a target phone number. The issue affects WhatsApp for Android prior to v2.19.134, WhatsApp Business for Android prior to v2.19.44, WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.19.51, WhatsApp Business for iOS prior to v2.19.51, WhatsApp for Windows Phone prior to v2.18.348, and WhatsApp for Tizen prior to v2.18.15.

• CWE-122Heap-based Buffer OverflowA heap overflow condition is a buffer overflow, where the buffer that can be overwritten is allocated in the heap portion of memory, generally meaning that the buffer was allocated using a routine such as malloc().
• CWE-787Out-of-bounds WriteThe product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.