Libvirt: swtpm privilege escalation via symlink following
Priority LOW 35CWE-59Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 18 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
A flaw was found in libvirt. A local attacker, specifically a process running as the confined `swtpm` user, could exploit a symlink-following vulnerability in the `virFileChownFiles()` function. By planting a symbolic link within the `swtpm` state directory, the attacker could trick the root-level libvirt daemon into changing the ownership of an arbitrary file to the `swtpm` user. This allows for privilege escalation from the `swtpm` sandbox to root-level file ownership control.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00142 3rd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 10 advisoriesRed Hat: 18 fixed, 2 without a fix
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | — | 11.10.0-12.9.el10_2 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 Extended Update Support | — | 10.10.0-8.11.el10_0 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support | — | 4.5.0-36.el7_9.7 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support | — | 8040020260916092751.522a0ee4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On | — | 8040020260916092751.522a0ee4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support | — | 8060020260910092451.ad008a3a | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On | — | 8060020260910092451.ad008a3a | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Telecommunications Update Service | — | 8080020260910092120.63b34585 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Update Services for SAP Solutions | — | 8080020260910092120.63b34585 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | — | 11.10.0-12.7.el9_8 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 Update Services for SAP Solutions | — | 9.0.0-10.16.el9_2 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions | — | 10.0.0-6.23.el9_4 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.6 Extended Update Support | — | 10.10.0-7.18.el9_6 | Patch available | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | — | — | Not affected | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux for NVIDIA 26 | — | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 11.10.0-12.9.el10_2 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 Extended Update Support VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 10.10.0-8.11.el10_0 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 4.5.0-36.el7_9.7 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8040020260916092751.522a0ee4 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8040020260916092751.522a0ee4 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8060020260910092451.ad008a3a Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8060020260910092451.ad008a3a Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Telecommunications Update Service VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8080020260910092120.63b34585 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Update Services for SAP Solutions VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 8080020260910092120.63b34585 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 11.10.0-12.7.el9_8 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 Update Services for SAP Solutions VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 9.0.0-10.16.el9_2 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 10.0.0-6.23.el9_4 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.6 Extended Update Support VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in 10.10.0-7.18.el9_6 Patch available CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — Not affected CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for NVIDIA 26 VendorRed Hat Affected — Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE names CNA · 18
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2 | 10.2 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux_eus:10.0 | 10.0 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7 | 7 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.4::appstream | 8.4 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.4::appstream | 8.4 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.6::appstream | 8.6 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.6::appstream | 8.6 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.8::appstream | 8.8 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_tus:8.8::appstream | 8.8 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::appstream | 9 | — | Red Hat |
- cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2 Versions 10.2 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux_eus:10.0 Versions 10.0 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7 Versions 7 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.4::appstream Versions 8.4 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.4::appstream Versions 8.4 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.6::appstream Versions 8.6 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.6::appstream Versions 8.6 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.8::appstream Versions 8.8 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_tus:8.8::appstream Versions 8.8 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::appstream Versions 9 — ·Red Hat
Show 8 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::crb | 9 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:9.2::appstream | 9.2 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:9.4::appstream | 9.4 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.6::appstream | 9.6 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.6::crb | 9.6 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6 | 6 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8 | 8 | — | Red Hat |
| cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux_nvidia: | — | — | Red Hat |
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::crb Versions 9 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:9.2::appstream Versions 9.2 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:9.4::appstream Versions 9.4 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.6::appstream Versions 9.6 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.6::crb Versions 9.6 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6 Versions 6 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8 Versions 8 — ·Red Hat
- cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux_nvidia: Versions — — ·Red Hat
Remediation
Red Hat 10 advisories
- RHSA-2026:75583 Released 2026-10-05 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) libvirt-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2, libvirt-client-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2, libvirt-client-qemu-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2 +26
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) libvirt-daemon-plugin-sanlock-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2, libvirt-devel-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2, libvirt-docs-11.10.0-12.9.el10_2
- RHSA-2026:74424 Released 2026-10-02 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) libvirt-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8, libvirt-client-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8, libvirt-client-qemu-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8 +26
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) libvirt-daemon-plugin-sanlock-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8, libvirt-devel-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8, libvirt-docs-11.10.0-12.7.el9_8
- RHSA-2026:69131 Released 2026-09-21 · Red Hat rating Importantvirt:rhel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream AUS (v.8.4) hivex-1.3.18-21.module+el8.4.0+10770+19c037f9.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-21.module+el8.4.0+10770+19c037f9.x86_64::virt:rhel, hivex-devel-1.3.18-21.module+el8.4.0+10770+19c037f9.x86_64::virt:rhel +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS EXTENSION (v.8.4) SLOF-20191022-3.git899d9883.module+el8.3.0+6423+e4cb6418.noarch::virt:rhel, SLOF-20191022-3.git899d9883.module+el8.3.0+6423+e4cb6418.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-21.module+el8.4.0+10770+19c037f9.aarch64::virt:rhel +47
Show 7 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2026:69114 Released 2026-09-21 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) libvirt-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7, libvirt-bash-completion-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7, libvirt-client-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7 +26
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) libvirt-admin-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7, libvirt-daemon-lxc-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7, libvirt-lock-sanlock-4.5.0-36.el7_9.7 +3
- RHSA-2026:68594 Released 2026-09-17 · Red Hat rating Importantvirt:rhel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream AUS (v.8.6) hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.x86_64::virt:rhel, hivex-devel-1.3.18-23.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.x86_64::virt:rhel +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS EXTENSION (v.8.6) SLOF-20210217-1.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.noarch::virt:rhel, SLOF-20210217-1.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.6.0+14480+c0a3aa0f.aarch64::virt:rhel +47
- RHSA-2026:68513 Released 2026-09-17 · Red Hat rating Importantvirt:rhel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.8.8) SLOF-20210217-2.module+el8.8.0+20737+daad9f3b.noarch::virt:rhel, SLOF-20210217-2.module+el8.8.0+20737+daad9f3b.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.8.0+16781+9f4724c2.ppc64le::virt:rhel +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream TUS (v.8.8) hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.8.0+16781+9f4724c2.src::virt:rhel, hivex-1.3.18-23.module+el8.8.0+16781+9f4724c2.x86_64::virt:rhel, hivex-devel-1.3.18-23.module+el8.8.0+16781+9f4724c2.x86_64::virt:rhel +47
- RHSA-2026:65803 Released 2026-09-09 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) libvirt-10.0.0-6.23.el9_4, libvirt-client-10.0.0-6.23.el9_4, libvirt-client-qemu-10.0.0-6.23.el9_4 +25
- RHSA-2026:65515 Released 2026-09-08 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) libvirt-daemon-plugin-sanlock-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6, libvirt-devel-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6, libvirt-docs-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) libvirt-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6, libvirt-client-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6, libvirt-client-qemu-10.10.0-7.18.el9_6 +26
- RHSA-2026:65516 Released 2026-09-08 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) libvirt-9.0.0-10.16.el9_2, libvirt-client-9.0.0-10.16.el9_2, libvirt-daemon-9.0.0-10.16.el9_2 +19
- RHSA-2026:64773 Released 2026-09-08 · Red Hat rating Importantlibvirt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) libvirt-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0, libvirt-client-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0, libvirt-client-qemu-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0 +26
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) libvirt-daemon-plugin-sanlock-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0, libvirt-devel-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0, libvirt-docs-10.10.0-8.11.el10_0
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for NVIDIA 26 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:65515 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:75583 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:74424 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream AUS (v.8.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:69131 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream AUS (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:68594 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.8.8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:68513 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:65516 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream E4S (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:65803 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:64773 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:65515 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS EXTENSION (v.8.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:69131 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS EXTENSION (v.8.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:68594 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream TUS (v.8.8) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:68513 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:75583 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:74424 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 10.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:64773 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:69114 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2026:69114 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-63622
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-r329-fjhj-3cw3
- 2026-10-05 Fix available: libvirt@0:11.10.0-12.9.el10_2 · CNA
- 2026-10-05 1 new reference · CNA
- 2026-10-05 Fix available: RHSA-2026:75583 · Red Hat
- 2026-10-05 Fix available: Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 10) · Red Hat
References
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Sources
- CVE-2026-63622 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-63622 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-r329-fjhj-3cw3 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-63622 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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