CVE-2021-3667: An improper locking issue was found in the virStoragePoolLookupByTargetPath API of libvirt

This month

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-3667 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting libvirt, enterprise linux, ontap select deploy administration utility. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An improper locking issue was found in the virStoragePoolLookupByTargetPath API of libvirt. It occurs in the storagePoolLookupByTargetPath function where a locked virStoragePoolObj object is not properly released on ACL permission failure. Clients connecting to the read-write socket with limited ACL permissions could use this flaw to acquire the lock and prevent other users from accessing storage pool/volume APIs, resulting in a 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	1.4% (top 28%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-667
Published	2022-03-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-03-02 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat libvirt UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.1.0 and <= 7.5.0

Fixed in: newer than 7.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 7.5.0 (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 4.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libvirt sudo apt install libvirt=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.1.0> 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_4.1.0> 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.

netapp ontap select deploy administration utility 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 ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || rpm -q ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility || ontap-select-deploy-administration-utility --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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-2021-3667?

libvirt: upgrade to newer than 7.5.0; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ontap select deploy administration utility: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-3667 being exploited?

CVE-2021-3667 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-2021-3667 affect?

CVE-2021-3667 affects libvirt, enterprise linux, ontap select deploy administration utility. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). An improper locking issue was found in the virStoragePoolLookupByTargetPath API of libvirt. It occurs in the storagePoolLookupByTargetPath function where a locked virStoragePoolObj object is not properly released on ACL permission failure.

How urgent is CVE-2021-3667?

Priority 46/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian 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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