CVE-2020-12430: An issue was discovered in qemuDomainGetStatsIOThread in qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt 4.10.0 though 6.x befor

This month

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-12430 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting libvirt, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in qemuDomainGetStatsIOThread in qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt 4.10.0 though 6.x before 6.1.0. A memory leak was found in the virDomainListGetStats libvirt API that is responsible for retrieving domain statistics when managing QEMU guests. This flaw allows unprivileged users with a read-only connection to cause a memory leak in the domstats command, resulting in a potential denial of service.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-401
Published	2020-04-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-04-28 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat libvirt UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.10.0 and < 6.1.0

Fixed in: 6.1.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.10.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 6.1.0 (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.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libvirt sudo apt install libvirt=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.10.0> 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_4.10.0> 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: 8.0

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.

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-2020-12430?

libvirt: upgrade to 6.1.0; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-12430 being exploited?

CVE-2020-12430 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-2020-12430 affect?

CVE-2020-12430 affects libvirt, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). An issue was discovered in qemuDomainGetStatsIOThread in qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt 4.10.0 though 6.x before 6.1.0. A memory leak was found in the virDomainListGetStats libvirt API that is responsible for retrieving domain statistics whe

How urgent is CVE-2020-12430?

Priority 49/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

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

← Back to latest CVEs