Libvirt: swtpm privilege escalation via symlink following
Published Aug 10, 2026 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Original summary
Normalized public record · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Libvirt: swtpm privilege escalation via symlink following
Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.
QFinch assessment
A flaw was found in libvirt. A local attacker, specifically a process running as the confined `swtpm` user, could exploit a symlink-following vulnerability in the `virFileChownFiles()` function. By planting a symbolic link within the `swtpm` state directory, the attacker could trick the root-level libvirt daemon into changing the ownership of an arbitrary file to the `swtpm` user. This allows for privilege escalation from the `swtpm` sandbox to root-level file ownership control.
Evidence: public source recordsAffected products
| Affected package, product or range | Fix status |
|---|---|
| Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions. | Consult source advisory |
Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.
Remediation
Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.
- Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
- Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
- Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Evidence coverage
- SSVC priority
- MEDIUM
- Confidence
- Not available
- Aliases
- None reported
Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.
Sources and record history
- RHSA-2026:64773 ↗
- RHSA-2026:65515 ↗
- RHSA-2026:65516 ↗
- RHSA-2026:65803 ↗
- RHSA-2026:68513 ↗
- RHSA-2026:68594 ↗
- RHSA-2026:69114 ↗
- RHSA-2026:69131 ↗
- RHSA-2026:74424 ↗
- RHSA-2026:75583 ↗
- access.redhat.com ↗
- RHBZ#2513065 ↗
Record history
Published Aug 10, 2026 · Last refreshed Nov 3, 2026