CVE-2009-1573: xvfb-run 1.6.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora 10, and possibly other operating systems place the magic co

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2009-1573 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting debian linux, fedora, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

xvfb-run 1.6.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora 10, and possibly other operating systems place the magic cookie (MCOOKIE) on the command line, which allows local users to gain privileges by listing the process and its arguments.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2009-05-06
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: branden robinson · debian · redhat · ubuntu

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-05-06 17:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

branden robinson xvfb-run DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xvfb-run || rpm -q xvfb-run || xvfb-run --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xvfb-run sudo apt install xvfb-run=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.1> sudo apt-mark hold xvfb-run

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list xvfb-run sudo dnf downgrade xvfb-run-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.1> sudo dnf versionlock add xvfb-run

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2009-1573?

debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-1573 being exploited?

CVE-2009-1573 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2009-1573 affect?

CVE-2009-1573 affects debian linux, fedora, linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). xvfb-run 1.6.1 in Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora 10, and possibly other operating systems place the magic cookie (MCOOKIE) on the command line, which allows local users to gain privileges by listing the process and its arguments.

How urgent is CVE-2009-1573?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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