CVE-2020-14339: A flaw was found in libvirt, where it leaked a file descriptor for `/dev/mapper/control` into the QEMU process

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HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-14339 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting libvirt, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was found in libvirt, where it leaked a file descriptor for `/dev/mapper/control` into the QEMU process. This file descriptor allows for privileged operations to happen against the device-mapper on the host. This flaw allows a malicious guest user or process to perform operations outside of their standard permissions, potentially causing serious damage to the host operating system. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confident

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 64%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-772
Published	2020-12-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-03 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat libvirt UPGRADE

Affected: >= 6.2.0 and < 6.7.0

Fixed in: 6.7.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 6.7.0 (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 6.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libvirt sudo apt install libvirt=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.2.0> 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_6.2.0> 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-2020-14339?

libvirt: upgrade to 6.7.0; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14339 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14339 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-2020-14339 affect?

CVE-2020-14339 affects libvirt, enterprise linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A flaw was found in libvirt, where it leaked a file descriptor for `/dev/mapper/control` into the QEMU process. This file descriptor allows for privileged operations to happen against the device-mapper on the host. This flaw allows a malici

How urgent is CVE-2020-14339?

Priority 45/100. High severity; 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

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