CVE-2020-15708
Libvirt Service Arbitrary File Write Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Libvirt Service Arbitrary File Write Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
- Record
CVE-2020-15708- CVSS 3.1
- 9.3 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-732
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-7694
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
- Record
EUVD-2020-7694- CVSS 3.1
- 9.3 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-6pr6-q53r-2q97
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write...
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
- Record
GHSA-6pr6-q53r-2q97- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-732
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
- Record
CVE-2020-15708- CVSS 3.1
- 9.3 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 4.6 Medium
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-732
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-15708
Ubuntu's packaging of libvirt in 20.04 LTS created a control socket with world read and write permissions. An attacker could use this to overwrite arbitrary files or execute arbitrary code.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-15708- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 9.3 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2020:1777-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- qemu: Avoid stale capabilities cache host CPU or kernel command line changes (bsc#1173157).
- virdevmapper: Handle kernel without device-mapper support (bsc#1175465).
- Xen: Added support for passing arbitrary commands to the qemu device model, similar to the xl.cfg(5) device_model_args setting (bsc#1174139).
- Xen: Don't add dom0 twice on driver reload (bsc#1176430).
This update was imported from the SUSE:SLE-15-SP2:Update update project.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2020:1777-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 10 moreShow less
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2020:1778-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- qemu: Adjust max memlock on mdev hotplug (bsc#1177480).
- Xen: Don't add dom0 twice on driver reload (bsc#1176430).
- virdevmapper: Handle kernel without device-mapper support (bsc#1175465).
- Fixed an issue where building was failing (bsc#1175574).
This update was imported from the SUSE:SLE-15-SP1:Update update project.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2020:1778-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:11008-1 No score
libvirt-7.7.0-2.1 on GA media
These are all security issues fixed in the libvirt-7.7.0-2.1 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:11008-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:2969-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- libxl: Fixed lock manager lock ordering (bsc#1171701).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:2969-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:2970-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- qemu: Avoid stale capabilities cache host CPU or kernel command line changes (bsc#1173157).
- virdevmapper: Handle kernel without device-mapper support (bsc#1175465).
- Xen: Added support for passing arbitrary commands to the qemu device model, similar to the xl.cfg(5) device_model_args setting (bsc#1174139).
- Xen: Don't add dom0 twice on driver reload (bsc#1176430).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:2970-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3037-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- qemu: Adjust max memlock on mdev hotplug (bsc#1177480).
- Xen: Don't add dom0 twice on driver reload (bsc#1176430).
- virdevmapper: Handle kernel without device-mapper support (bsc#1175465).
- Fixed an issue where building was failing (bsc#1175574).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3037-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3038-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- libxl: Fixed lock manager lock ordering (bsc#1171701).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3038-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3039-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- qemu: Adjust max memlock on mdev hotplug (bsc#1177480).
- Xen: Don't add dom0 twice on driver reload (bsc#1176430).
- Fixed an issue where building was failing (bsc#1175574).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3039-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3095-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955). CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3095-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2020:3143-1 No score
Security update for libvirt
This update for libvirt fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2020-15708: Added a note to libvirtd.conf about polkit auth in SUSE distros (bsc#1174955).
- CVE-2020-25637: Fixed a double free in qemuAgentGetInterfaces() (bsc#1177155).
- Record
SUSE-SU-2020:3143-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4452-1 No score
libvirt vulnerability
Trent Shea working with Trend Micro´s Zero Day Initiative, discovered that the libvirt package set incorrect permissions on the UNIX domain socket. A local attacker could use this issue to access libvirt and escalate privileges.
- Record
USN-4452-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15-ESPOS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-9.35.1 | 4.0.0-9.35.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-9.35.1 | 4.0.0-9.35.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-9.35.1 | 4.0.0-9.35.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-9.35.1 | 4.0.0-9.35.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 6.0.0-13.8.1 | 6.0.0-13.8.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 6.0.0-13.8.1 | 6.0.0-13.8.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP1 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-8.24.1 | 5.1.0-8.24.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Server Applications 15 SP1 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-8.24.1 | 5.1.0-8.24.1 |
libvirtSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 9 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-8.23.1 | 4.0.0-8.23.1 |
libvirtSUSE:OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 9 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-8.23.1 | 4.0.0-8.23.1 |
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| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP4 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-8.23.1 | 4.0.0-8.23.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 4.0.0-8.23.1 | 4.0.0-8.23.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-13.19.1 | 5.1.0-13.19.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-13.19.1 | 5.1.0-13.19.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-13.19.1 | 5.1.0-13.19.1 |
libvirtSUSE:HPE Helion OpenStack 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP3 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3-BCL From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Enterprise Storage 5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.3.0-5.46.1 | 3.3.0-5.46.1 |
libvirtSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 7 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 2.0.0-27.64.1 | 2.0.0-27.64.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 2.0.0-27.64.1 | 2.0.0-27.64.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 2.0.0-27.64.1 | 2.0.0-27.64.1 |
libvirtSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2-BCL From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 2.0.0-27.64.1 | 2.0.0-27.64.1 |
libvirtUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
before 6.0.0-0ubuntu8.3, plus listed versions 5.4.0-0ubuntu56.0.0-0ubuntu16.0.0-0ubuntu26.0.0-0ubuntu36.0.0-0ubuntu4 Show 6 moreShow less6.0.0-0ubuntu56.0.0-0ubuntu66.0.0-0ubuntu76.0.0-0ubuntu86.0.0-0ubuntu8.16.0.0-0ubuntu8.2 |
6.0.0-0ubuntu8.3 |
libvirtopenSUSE:Leap 15.2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 6.0.0-lp152.9.6.2 | 6.0.0-lp152.9.6.2 |
libvirtopenSUSE:Leap 15.1 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 5.1.0-lp151.7.10.1 | 5.1.0-lp151.7.10.1 |
libvirtopenSUSE:Tumbleweed From an advisory covering 21 CVEs |
before 7.7.0-2.1 | 7.7.0-2.1 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-15708 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.3) in Ubuntu Libvirt, published August 4, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.40%, the 34th percentile. Fixed in libvirt 6.0.0-0ubuntu8.3.
References
usn.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-4452-1
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15708
github.com/advisories/GHSA-6pr6-q53r-2q97
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2020/suse-su-20202969-1
bugzilla.suse.com/1171701
Show 39 moreShow less
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-15708
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-15708
lists.opensuse.org/archives/list/[email protected]/thread/3OCPTCY4NDHTGHFZWIAO6KHGTLUQSXQ5