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Vulnerability record · CVE-2019-17662 · published 16 October 2019

CVE-2019-17662: ThinVNC path traversal exposes cleartext VNC password

Cybelsoft · Thinvnc

ThinVNC 1.0b1 allows an unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files through a ../../ThinVnc.ini directory traversal, and the VNC authentication password is stored in cleartext in that file. Because the flaw works even when authentication is enabled, the server's own credential protection is defeated by design.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 97% · top 0.1% CWE-22 · Path traversalCWE-522 · Insufficiently protected credentials
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 5.0
97%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
8References, 4 tagged exploit
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

ThinVNC 1.0b1 is vulnerable to arbitrary file read, which leads to a compromise of the VNC server. The vulnerability exists even when authentication is turned on during the deployment of the VNC server. The password for authentication is stored in cleartext in a file that can be read via a ../../ThinVnc.ini directory traversal attack vector.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 18 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityCVSS 9.8 with no authentication or interaction required, cleartext credential exposure and public exploit references make this an urgent exposure.

What it is

ThinVNC 1.0b1 allows an unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary files through a ../../ThinVnc.ini directory traversal, and the VNC authentication password is stored in cleartext in that file. Because the flaw works even when authentication is enabled, the server's own credential protection is defeated by design.

Impact

An attacker gains the cleartext VNC password and full control of the VNC server, which the CVSS vector rates as high confidentiality, integrity and availability impact.

Attack surface

Reachable over the network with no authentication and no user interaction (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N); the traversal request targets the ThinVnc.ini configuration file directly.

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV, but EPSS is 0.96758 (99.884th percentile) and multiple references are tagged Exploit, indicating public exploit code and active interest.

What to do

  • Upgrade or remove ThinVNC 1.0b1; no fixed version is stated in this record, so confirm vendor status before relying on a patch.
  • If the product cannot be replaced, isolate the ThinVNC service from untrusted networks and restrict access to trusted management hosts.
  • Rotate the VNC password and any credentials stored in ThinVnc.ini, since the file is readable in cleartext.
  • Block directory traversal patterns (../) at the web tier and disable directory listing on the ThinVNC listener.

Detection

  • Alert on HTTP requests containing ../ or encoded traversal sequences to the ThinVNC service.
  • Monitor access to ThinVnc.ini or similar configuration files from remote clients.
  • Hunt for unexpected VNC authentication attempts or sessions originating from unfamiliar hosts.
  • Review ThinVNC logs for repeated 200 responses to traversal-style paths.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154896/ThinVNC-1.0b1-Authentication-Bypass.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://github.com/bewest/thinvnc/issues/5 Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/shashankmangal2/Exploits/blob/master/ThinVNC-RemoteAccess/POC.py Broken Link
https://redteamzone.com/ThinVNC/ ExploitThird Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154896/ThinVNC-1.0b1-Authentication-Bypass.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://github.com/bewest/thinvnc/issues/5 Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/shashankmangal2/Exploits/blob/master/ThinVNC-RemoteAccess/POC.py Broken Link
https://redteamzone.com/ThinVNC/ ExploitThird Party Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2019-17662), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-25). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.