PatchTheCVECVE-2026-12080: A flaw was found in the QEMU Guest Agent (qga)
CVE-2026-12080 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.3) affecting affected software. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
A flaw was found in the QEMU Guest Agent (qga). A local unprivileged user can exploit a vulnerability in the guest-ssh-add-authorized-keys command handler by manipulating symbolic links. This can occur either through a deterministic directory-symlink bypass or a Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) file-symlink race. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to gain ownership of arbitrary root-owned files or directories, leading to root access
Why this priority
- High severity
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.3 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | Low |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 0.1% (top 97%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-61 |
| Published | 2026-07-20 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-22 |
Last updated 2026-10-22 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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-2026-12080?
No fixed release is listed yet. Watch the vendor advisory and apply any mitigation shown on this page.
Is CVE-2026-12080 being exploited?
CVE-2026-12080 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-2026-12080 affect?
CVE-2026-12080 affects affected software. Severity is high (CVSS 7.3). A flaw was found in the QEMU Guest Agent (qga). A local unprivileged user can exploit a vulnerability in the guest-ssh-add-authorized-keys command handler by manipulating symbolic links. This can occur either through a deterministic directo
How urgent is CVE-2026-12080?
Priority 26/100. High severity