A symlink-following flaw was found in libvirt's qemuTPMEmulatorPrepareHost() function. The function uses a path-based chown() on the swtpm logfile without checking for symbolic links. A local attacker with access to the swtpm account can replace the logfile with a symlink, causing libvirtd (running as root) to transfer ownership of an arbitrary file to the swtpm user.
History

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A symlink-following flaw was found in libvirt's qemuTPMEmulatorPrepareHost() function. The function uses a path-based chown() on the swtpm logfile without checking for symbolic links. A local attacker with access to the swtpm account can replace the logfile with a symlink, causing libvirtd (running as root) to transfer ownership of an arbitrary file to the swtpm user.
Title Libvirt: unsafe chown in qemutpmemulatorpreparehost() allows arbitrary file ownership change via symlink
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Weaknesses CWE-61
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: redhat

Published: 2026-09-11T10:32:29.772Z

Updated: 2026-09-11T10:41:54.715Z

Reserved: 2026-08-20T14:42:32.943Z

Link: CVE-2026-77159

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-11T11:16:54.677

Modified: 2026-09-11T11:16:54.677

Link: CVE-2026-77159

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-09-11T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-77159 - Bugzilla