CVE-2019-10168

Name: CVE-2019-10168
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-08-02T13:15:12.247+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.55%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-10168 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The virConnectBaselineHypervisorCPU() and virConnectCompareHypervisorCPU() libvirt APIs, 4.x.x before 4.10.1 and 5.x.x before 5.4.1, accept an "emulator" argument to specify the program providing emulation for a domain. Since v1.2.19, libvirt will execute that program to probe the domain's capabilities. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The virConnectBaselineHypervisorCPU() and virConnectCompareHypervisorCPU() libvirt APIs, 4.x.x before 4.10.1 and 5.x.x before 5.4.1, accept an "emulator" argument to specify the program providing emulation for a domain. Since v1.2.19, libvirt will execute that program to probe the domain's capabilities. Read-only clients could specify an arbitrary path for this argument, causing libvirtd to execute a crafted executable with its own privileges.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.55%

41.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Redhat	Libvirt	>= 4.0.0, < 4.10.1
Redhat	Libvirt	>= 5.0.0, < 5.4.1
Redhat	Enterprise Linux	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux	8.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Eus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Tus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	7.0
Redhat	Virtualization	4.3

References

https://access.redhat.com/libvirt-privesc-vulnerabilitiesVendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2019-10168Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-18Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/libvirt-privesc-vulnerabilitiesVendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2019-10168Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-18Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 2, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-10168?

How severe is CVE-2019-10168?

CVE-2019-10168 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.55% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-10168?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-10168?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST