CVE-2024-5138: The snapctl component within snapd allows a confined snap to interact with the snapd daemon to take certain pr

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HIGH 8.1UPGRADE

CVE-2024-5138 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting snapd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The snapctl component within snapd allows a confined snap to interact with the snapd daemon to take certain privileged actions on behalf of the snap. It was found that snapctl did not properly parse command-line arguments, allowing an unprivileged user to trigger an authorised action on behalf of the snap that would normally require administrator privileges to perform. This could possibly allow an unprivileged user to perform a denial of service

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2024-05-31
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Canonical Ltd. · Vendor: canonical

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-05-31 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

canonical snapd UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.51.6 and < 2.63.1

Fixed in: 2.63.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.51.6

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.63.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade snapd

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade snapd

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 2.51.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison snapd sudo apt install snapd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.51.6> sudo apt-mark hold snapd

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list snapd sudo dnf downgrade snapd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.51.6> sudo dnf versionlock add snapd

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.

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-2024-5138?

snapd: upgrade to 2.63.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-5138 being exploited?

CVE-2024-5138 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-2024-5138 affect?

CVE-2024-5138 affects snapd. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). The snapctl component within snapd allows a confined snap to interact with the snapd daemon to take certain privileged actions on behalf of the snap. It was found that snapctl did not properly parse command-line arguments, allowing an unpri

How urgent is CVE-2024-5138?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-29069 MEDIUM 4.8 UPGRADE In snapd versions prior to 2.62, snapd failed to properly check the destination of symbolic links when extract
CVE-2024-29068 MEDIUM 5.8 UPGRADE In snapd versions prior to 2.62, snapd failed to properly check the file type when extracting a snap
CVE-2024-1724 MEDIUM 6.3 UPGRADE In snapd versions prior to 2.62, when using AppArmor for enforcement of sandbox permissions, snapd failed to
CVE-2023-1523 CRITICAL 10.0 UPGRADE MITIGATE Using the TIOCLINUX ioctl request, a malicious snap could inject contents into the input of the controlling te
CVE-2022-3328 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE Race condition in snap-confine's must_mkdir_and_open_with_perms()

References

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