Improper access control in libvirt
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-284.
Summary
It was discovered that libvirtd before versions 4.10.1 and 5.4.1 would permit read-only clients to use the virDomainSaveImageGetXMLDesc() API, specifying an arbitrary path which would be accessed with the permissions of the libvirtd process. An attacker with access to the libvirtd socket could use this to probe the existence of arbitrary files, cause denial of service or cause libvirtd to execute arbitrary programs.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| libvirt | libvirt | fixed in 4.10.1; fixed in 5.4.1 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- libvirt Vendorlibvirt Affected fixed in 4.10.1; fixed in 5.4.1 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:libvirt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 4.10.1; 5.0.0 to before 5.4.1 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Running on | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* | 14.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:libvirt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 4.10.1; 5.0.0 to before 5.4.1 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Running on ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* Versions 14.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
Red Hat 5 advisories
- RHSA-2019:1762 Released 2019-07-11 · Red Hat rating Importantvirt:8.0.0 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Advanced Virtualization SLOF-20180702-3.git9b7ab2f.module+el8.0.0.z+3438+2851622e.noarch::virt:8.0.0, SLOF-20180702-3.git9b7ab2f.module+el8.0.0.z+3438+2851622e.src::virt:8.0.0, hivex-1.3.15-6.module+el8.0.0.z+3438+2851622e.aarch64::virt:8.0.0 +47
- RHSA-2019:1699 Released 2019-07-08 · Red Hat rating Importantredhat-virtualization-host security and enhancement update
- RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) redhat-release-virtualization-host-4.3.4-1.el7ev, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-placeholder-4.3.4-1.el7ev
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 redhat-virtualization-host-4.3.4-20190620.3.el7_6, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-4.3.4-20190620.3.el7_6
- RHSA-2019:1580 Released 2019-06-20 · Red Hat rating Importantvirt:rhel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) SLOF-20171214-5.gitfa98132.module+el8.0.0.z+3418+a72cf898.noarch::virt:rhel, SLOF-20171214-5.gitfa98132.module+el8.0.0.z+3418+a72cf898.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.15-6.module+el8.0.0.z+3418+a72cf898.aarch64::virt:rhel +47
Show 2 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2019:1579 Released 2019-06-20 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-client-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) libvirt-admin-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-daemon-lxc-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-devel-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-client-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-admin-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-daemon-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +25
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-client-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +26
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) libvirt-admin-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-daemon-lxc-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-lock-sanlock-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-client-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +23
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) libvirt-admin-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-daemon-lxc-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-lock-sanlock-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-client-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) libvirt-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-admin-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-10.el7_6.12 +26
- RHSA-2019:1578 Released 2019-06-20 · Red Hat rating Moderatelibvirt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) libvirt-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-client-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-python-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) libvirt-devel-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-lock-sanlock-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) libvirt-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-client-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-python-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) libvirt-devel-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-lock-sanlock-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) libvirt-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-client-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-client-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2.ppc +3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) libvirt-lock-sanlock-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) libvirt-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-client-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2, libvirt-devel-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6) libvirt-lock-sanlock-0.10.2-64.el6_10.2
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
libvirt — GLSA-202003-18
4 records Highest priority Priority LOW 4 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2019-07489 Improper access control in libvirtPriority LOW 35
- TI-2019-07488 Improper access control in libvirtPriority LOW 35
- TI-2019-07487 Improper access control in libvirtPriority LOW 34
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1699 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Advanced Virtualization | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1762 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1580 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1578 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1579 |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:1699 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Storage 3
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-10161
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-6cwp-pxj6-56c7
References
More libvirt vulnerabilities
- TI-2019-07455 Incorrect permission assignment in libvirt CVSS 3.0HIGH 8.8
- TI-2018-00984 Uncontrolled resource consumption in libvirt CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.5
- TI-2019-07489 Improper access control in libvirt CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2019-07488 Improper access control in libvirt CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2019-07487 Improper access control in libvirt CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2020-08604 NULL pointer dereference in libvirt CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
Sources
- CVE-2019-10161 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-10161 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-6cwp-pxj6-56c7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2019-10161 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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