CVE-2009-4996: Xfce4-session 4.5.91 in Xfce does not lock the screen when the suspend or hibernate button is pressed, which m

Routine

HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-4996 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting xfce. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Xfce4-session 4.5.91 in Xfce does not lock the screen when the suspend or hibernate button is pressed, which might make it easier for physically proximate attackers to access an unattended laptop via a resume action, a related issue to CVE-2010-2532. NOTE: there is no general agreement that this is a vulnerability, because separate control over locking can be an equally secure, or more secure, behavior in some threat environments

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 74%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2010-09-07
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xfce

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2010-09-07 18:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xfce xfce DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.6 beta1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xfce || rpm -q xfce || xfce --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xfce sudo apt install xfce=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.6> sudo apt-mark hold xfce

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

dnf --showduplicates list xfce sudo dnf downgrade xfce-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.6> sudo dnf versionlock add xfce

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-2009-4996?

xfce: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-4996 being exploited?

CVE-2009-4996 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-2009-4996 affect?

CVE-2009-4996 affects xfce. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). Xfce4-session 4.5.91 in Xfce does not lock the screen when the suspend or hibernate button is pressed, which might make it easier for physically proximate attackers to access an unattended laptop via a resume action, a related issue to CVE-

How urgent is CVE-2009-4996?

Priority 32/100. High severity

Related CVEs

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CVE-2007-6532 HIGH 10.0 UPGRADE Double free vulnerability in the Widget Library (libxfcegui4) in Xfce before 4.4.2 might allow remote attacker
CVE-2007-6531 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE Stack-based buffer overflow in the Panel (xfce4-panel) component in Xfce before 4.4.2 might allow remote attac
CVE-2000-1060 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE The default configuration of XFCE 3.5.1 bypasses the Xauthority access control mechanism with an "xhost + loca

References

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