CVE-2014-0189: virt-who uses world-readable permissions for /etc/sysconfig/virt-who, which allows local users to obtain passw

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-0189 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server, enterprise linux workstation. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

virt-who uses world-readable permissions for /etc/sysconfig/virt-who, which allows local users to obtain password for hypervisors by reading the file.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 67%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-310
Published	2014-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: redhat · virt-who project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-05-02 14:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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 server MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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 workstation MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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.

virt-who project virt-who MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy virt-who || rpm -q virt-who || virt-who --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2014-0189?

enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux workstation: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-0189 being exploited?

CVE-2014-0189 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-2014-0189 affect?

CVE-2014-0189 affects enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server, enterprise linux workstation. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). virt-who uses world-readable permissions for /etc/sysconfig/virt-who, which allows local users to obtain password for hypervisors by reading the file.

How urgent is CVE-2014-0189?

Priority 20/100. On your watchlist

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References

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