CVE-2010-4664: In ConsoleKit before 0.4.2, an intended security policy restriction bypass was found

Q: How do I fix CVE-2010-4664?

consolekit: upgrade to 0.4.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2010-4664 being exploited?

CVE-2010-4664 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2010-4664 affect?

CVE-2010-4664 affects consolekit, debian linux, enterprise linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In ConsoleKit before 0.4.2, an intended security policy restriction bypass was found. This flaw allows an authenticated system user to escalate their privileges by initiating a remote VNC session.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2010-4664?

Priority 53/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2010-4664 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting consolekit, debian linux, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In ConsoleKit before 0.4.2, an intended security policy restriction bypass was found. This flaw allows an authenticated system user to escalate their privileges by initiating a remote VNC session.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 32%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269
Published	2019-11-13
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: consolekit project · debian · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-11-13 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

consolekit project consolekit UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.4.2

Fixed in: 0.4.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 0.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade consolekit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade consolekit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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 enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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.

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-2010-4664?

consolekit: upgrade to 0.4.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2010-4664 being exploited?

CVE-2010-4664 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-2010-4664 affect?

CVE-2010-4664 affects consolekit, debian linux, enterprise linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In ConsoleKit before 0.4.2, an intended security policy restriction bypass was found. This flaw allows an authenticated system user to escalate their privileges by initiating a remote VNC session.

How urgent is CVE-2010-4664?

Priority 53/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs