Description
A double free memory issue was found to occur in the libvirt API, in versions before 6.8.0, responsible for requesting information about network interfaces of a running QEMU domain. This flaw affects the polkit access control driver. Specifically, clients connecting to the read-write socket with limited ACL permissions could use this flaw to crash the libvirt daemon, resulting in a denial of service, or potentially escalate their privileges on the system. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | libvirt | libvirt versions before 6.8.0 | — |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | libvirt | 6.8.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libvirt | 6.8.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | libvirt | 6.8.0-1 | — |
| Debian 10 | libvirt | 5.0.0-4+deb10u2 | DLA-3778-1 |
| Debian 9 | libvirt | 3.0.0-4+deb9u5 | DLA-2395-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | libvirt | 6.0.0-0ubuntu8.16 | USN-5399-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | libvirt | 4.0.0-1ubuntu8.21 | USN-5399-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | libvirt | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | libvirt | No fix yet | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8 | SLOF | 20191022-3.git899d9883.module+el8.2.0+5449+efc036dd | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | hivex +6 | 1.3.18-20.module+el8.2.0+5588+63a201c3 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libguestfs-winsupport | 8.2-1.module+el8.2.0+5590+82cd80df | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libiscsi +2 | 1.18.0-8.module+el8.1.0+4066+0f1aadab | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libnbd +5 | 1.2.2-1.module+el8.2.0+5644+32ac38d4 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libtpms +1 | 0.7.0-1.20191018gitdc116933b7.module+el8.2.0+4793+b09dd2fb | RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libvirt +28 | 6.0.0-25.5.module+el8.2.1+8680+ea98947b | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libvirt-dbus | 1.3.0-2.module+el8.2.0+4793+b09dd2fb | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | libvirt-python +1 | 6.0.0-1.module+el8.2.0+5453+31b2b136 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | nbdkit +13 | 1.16.2-4.module+el8.2.1+6710+effcb1df | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | netcf +2 | 0.2.8-12.module+el8.1.0+4066+0f1aadab | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | perl-Sys-Virt | 6.0.0-1.module+el8.2.0+5488+267def79 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | python-pyvmomi +1 | 6.7.1-7.module+el8.2.0+4793+b09dd2fb | RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | qemu-img +10 | 15:4.2.0-29.module+el8.2.1+8442+7a3eadf7.5 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | seabios +2 | 1.13.0-2.module+el8.2.1+7284+aa32a2c4 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | sgabios +1 | 1:0.20170427git-3.module+el8.1.0+4066+0f1aadab | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | supermin +1 | 5.1.19-10.module+el8.2.0+4793+b09dd2fb | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | swtpm +3 | 0.2.0-2.20200127gitff5a83b.module+el8.2.0+5579+d71178e0 | RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | virglrenderer +2 | 0.8.2-1.module+el8.2.0+5777+d9c2af8c | RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 8 | virt-dib +25 | 1:1.40.2-24.module+el8.2.1+7154+47ffd890 | RHSA-2021:1762, RHSA-2020:5111 |
| RHEL 7 | libvirt +30 | 4.5.0-36.el7_9.3 | RHSA-2020:5040 |
AlmaLinux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 8 | hivex +6 | 1.3.18-20.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | libguestfs-winsupport | 8.2-1.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | libiscsi +2 | 1.18.0-8.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | libnbd +5 | 1.2.2-1.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | libvirt-dbus | 1.3.0-2.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | nbdkit +13 | 1.16.2-4.module_el8.5.0+2608+72063365 | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | netcf +2 | 0.2.8-12.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | ocaml-libguestfs +1 | 1:1.40.2-27.module_el8.4.0+2358+630e803b.alma | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | perl-Sys-Virt +1 | 6.0.0-1.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | seabios +2 | 1.13.0-2.module_el8.5.0+2608+72063365 | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | sgabios | 1:0.20170427git-3.module_el8.3.0+2048+e7a0a3ea | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | sgabios-bin | 1:0.20170427git-3.module_el8.5.0+2608+72063365 | ALSA-2021:1762 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | supermin +1 | 5.1.19-10.module_el8.5.0+2608+72063365 | ALSA-2021:1762 |
Rocky Linux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8 | hivex | 1.3.18-20.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libguestfs | 1:1.40.2-27.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libguestfs-winsupport | 8.2-1.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libiscsi | 1.18.0-8.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libnbd | 1.2.2-1.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libvirt | 6.0.0-35.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | libvirt-dbus | 1.3.0-2.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | nbdkit | 1.16.2-4.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | netcf | 0.2.8-12.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | perl-Sys-Virt +1 | 6.0.0-1.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | qemu-kvm | 5:4.2.0-48.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | seabios | 1.13.0-2.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | sgabios | 1:0.20170427git-3.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | supermin | 5.1.19-10.module+el8.4.0+534+4680a14e | RLSA-2021:1762 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP2 | libvirt | 6.0.0-13.8.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:2970-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | libvirt | 5.1.0-8.24.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3037-1 |
| SLES 15 | libvirt | 4.0.0-9.35.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:2969-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | libvirt | 5.1.0-13.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3039-1 |
| SLES 12 SP4 | libvirt | 4.0.0-8.23.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 |
Show 15 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP3 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | libvirt | 2.0.0-27.64.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3143-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | libvirt | 4.0.0-9.35.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:2969-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | libvirt | 5.1.0-13.19.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3039-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | libvirt | 4.0.0-8.23.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | libvirt | 2.0.0-27.64.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3143-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | libvirt | 4.0.0-9.35.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:2969-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 9 | libvirt | 4.0.0-8.23.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 9 | libvirt | 4.0.0-8.23.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 8 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | libvirt | 2.0.0-27.64.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3143-1 |
| SUSE HPE Helion OpenStack 8 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | libvirt | 3.3.0-5.46.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libvirt | 7.7.0-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11008-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.2 | libvirt | 6.0.0-lp152.9.6.2 | openSUSE-SU-2020:1777-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | libvirt | 5.1.0-lp151.7.10.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:1778-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
Show 8 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | libvirt | 6.8.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | libvirt | 6.6.0-r3 | — |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2 | libvirt +30 | 4.5.0-36.amzn2.3 | ALAS2-2020-1569 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 2 (CBL-Mariner) | libvirt | 6.1.0-4 | — |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 8 | hivex +6 | 1.3.18-20.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | libguestfs-winsupport | 8.2-1.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | libiscsi +2 | 1.18.0-8.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | libnbd +5 | 1.2.2-1.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | libvirt +28 | 6.0.0-35.0.1.module+el8.4.0+20171+f6690737 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | libvirt-dbus | 1.3.0-2.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | nbdkit +13 | 1.16.2-4.0.1.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | netcf +2 | 0.2.8-12.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | perl-Sys-Virt +1 | 6.0.0-1.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | qemu-img +10 | 15:4.2.0-48.module+el8.4.0+20158+f6690737 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | seabios +2 | 1.13.0-2.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | sgabios +1 | 1:0.20170427git-3.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | supermin +1 | 5.1.19-10.module+el8.3.0+7860+a7792d29 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | virt-dib +25 | 1:1.40.2-27.0.1.module+el8.4.0+20093+03a97712 | ELSA-2021-1762 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | libvirt +30 | 4.5.0-36.el7_9.3 | ELSA-2020-5961, ELSA-2020-5040 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | libvirt-daemon-qemu | 5.7.0-21.el7 | ELSA-2020-5961 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
GitHub 1 repository
-
brahmiboudjema/CVE-2020-25637-libvirt-double-free ★ 0 · Dec 4, 2020
Double Free
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 23
- ALSA-2021:1762 Moderate: virt:rhel and virt-devel:rhel security, bug fix, and enhancement update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Nov 2, 2026
- RHSA-2021:1762 Red Hat Security Advisory: virt:rhel and virt-devel:rhel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2020:5111 Red Hat Security Advisory: virt:8.2 and virt-devel:8.2 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2020:5040 Red Hat Security Advisory: libvirt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- USN-5399-1 libvirt vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 27, 2026
- DLA-2395-1 libvirt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-3778-1 libvirt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RLSA-2021:1762 Moderate: virt:rhel and virt-devel:rhel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 5, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3037-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3143-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:2970-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11008-1 libvirt-7.7.0-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1778-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1777-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3039-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:2969-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 Security update for libvirt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2022-1724 libvirt: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Sep 2, 2024
- ELSA-2021-1762 Moderate: virt:ol and virt-devel:rhel security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · May 25, 2021
- ALAS2-2020-1569 Moderate: libvirt security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Dec 8, 2020
- ELSA-2020-5961 Important: libvirt security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Dec 1, 2020
- ELSA-2020-5040 Moderate: libvirt security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 11, 2020
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1881037
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1778 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1777 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-202210-06 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20240401 [SECURITY] [DLA 3778-1] libvirt security update mailing-list