CVE-2019-20485: qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt before 6.0.0 mishandles the holding of a monitor job during a query to a guest a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2019-20485?

libvirt: upgrade to 6.0.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2019-20485 being exploited?

CVE-2019-20485 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-2019-20485 affect?

CVE-2019-20485 affects libvirt, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.7). qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt before 6.0.0 mishandles the holding of a monitor job during a query to a guest agent, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (API blockage).

Q: How urgent is CVE-2019-20485?

Priority 39/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 5.7WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-20485 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.7) affecting libvirt, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt before 6.0.0 mishandles the holding of a monitor job during a query to a guest agent, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (API blockage).

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.7 (Medium)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2020-03-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-03-19 02:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat libvirt UPGRADE

Affected: < 6.0.0

Fixed in: 6.0.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 6.0.0 (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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 31

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-2019-20485?

libvirt: upgrade to 6.0.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-20485 being exploited?

CVE-2019-20485 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-2019-20485 affect?

CVE-2019-20485 affects libvirt, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.7). qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt before 6.0.0 mishandles the holding of a monitor job during a query to a guest agent, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (API blockage).

How urgent is CVE-2019-20485?

Priority 39/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · QEMU vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-8235 MEDIUM 6.2 UPGRADE A flaw was found in libvirt
CVE-2024-2496 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the udevConnectListAllInterfaces() function in libvirt
CVE-2023-3750 MEDIUM 6.5 MITIGATE MITIGATE A flaw was found in libvirt
CVE-2023-2700 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was found in libvirt
CVE-2022-0897 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in the libvirt nwfilter driver

References

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