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CVE-2019-10161: It was discovered that libvirtd before versions 4.10.1 and 5.4.1 would permit read-only clients to use the vir

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This month
HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2019-10161 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting libvirt, enterprise linux, virtualization. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

It was discovered that libvirtd before versions 4.10.1 and 5.4.1 would permit read-only clients to use the virDomainSaveImageGetXMLDesc() API, specifying an arbitrary path which would be accessed with the permissions of the libvirtd process. An attacker with access to the libvirtd socket could use this to probe the existence of arbitrary files, cause denial of service or cause libvirtd to execute arbitrary programs.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.8 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededLow
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance0.5% (top 56%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-284, CWE-22, CWE-862
Published2019-07-30
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: canonical · redhat

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

redhat libvirt UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.10.1 · >= 5.0.0 and < 5.4.1
Fixed in: 4.10.1, 5.4.1
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libvirt || rpm -q libvirt || libvirt --version
2. UPGRADE to 4.10.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libvirt
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade libvirt
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison libvirt sudo apt install libvirt=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold libvirt
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list libvirt sudo dnf downgrade libvirt-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add libvirt
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.
redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0 · 8.0
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.
redhat virtualization DOWNGRADE
Affected: 4.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy virtualization || rpm -q virtualization || virtualization --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison virtualization sudo apt install virtualization=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold virtualization
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list virtualization sudo dnf downgrade virtualization-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add virtualization
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.
redhat virtualization host DOWNGRADE
Affected: 4.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy virtualization-host || rpm -q virtualization-host || virtualization-host --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison virtualization-host sudo apt install virtualization-host=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold virtualization-host
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list virtualization-host sudo dnf downgrade virtualization-host-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add virtualization-host
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.
canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE
Affected: 14.04
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04
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-2019-10161?

libvirt: upgrade to 4.10.1, 5.4.1; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; virtualization: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-10161 being exploited?

CVE-2019-10161 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-2019-10161 affect?

CVE-2019-10161 affects libvirt, enterprise linux, virtualization. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). It was discovered that libvirtd before versions 4.10.1 and 5.4.1 would permit read-only clients to use the virDomainSaveImageGetXMLDesc() API, specifying an arbitrary path which would be accessed with the permissions of the libvirtd process

How urgent is CVE-2019-10161?

Priority 43/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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