HIGH
Kernel: KVM: potential use-after-free via kvm_ioctl_create_device()
Published Feb 15, 2019
8.1
HIGHCVSS 3.1
EPSS 16.52%
Description
In the Linux kernel before 4.20.8, kvm_ioctl_create_device in virt/kvm/kvm_main.c mishandles reference counting because of a race condition, leading to a use-after-free.
Affected products
No data.
Configuration 1
OR
- ≥ 3.10 · < 3.16.64
- ≥ 3.17 · < 3.18.136
- ≥ 3.19 · < 4.4.176
- ≥ 4.5 · < 4.9.156
- ≥ 4.10 · < 4.14.99
- ≥ 4.15 · < 4.19.21
- ≥ 4.20 · < 4.20.8
Configuration 2
- 8.0
Configuration 3
OR
- 12.04
- 14.04
- 16.04
- 18.04
- 18.10
Configuration 4
OR
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
- ≥ 13.0.0 · ≤ 13.1.1
- ≥ 14.0.0 · ≤ 14.1.0
- ≥ 15.0.0 · < 15.1.0
Configuration 5
OR
- 3.11
- 7.0
- 7.0
- 7.5
- 7.0
- 7.4
- 7.6
- 7.6
- 7.4
- 7.6
- 7.0
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
kernel-0:3.10.0-957.12.1.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2019:0818
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
kernel-alt-0:4.14.0-115.12.1.el7a
Fixed · RHSA-2019:2809
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
kernel-rt-0:3.10.0-957.12.1.rt56.927.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2019:0833
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Advanced Update Support
kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2020:0103
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Telco Extended Update Support
kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2020:0103
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions
kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2020:0103
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 Extended Update Support
kernel-0:3.10.0-862.44.2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2019:3967
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
kernel
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
kernel
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
kernel-rt
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2
kernel-rt
Not affected
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel-0:3.10.0-957.12.1.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0818 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel-alt-0:4.14.0-115.12.1.el7a | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2809 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel-rt-0:3.10.0-957.12.1.rt56.927.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0833 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Advanced Update Support | kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0103 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Telco Extended Update Support | kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0103 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 Update Services for SAP Solutions | kernel-0:3.10.0-693.62.1.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0103 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 Extended Update Support | kernel-0:3.10.0-862.44.2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3967 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | kernel | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | kernel | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel-rt | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2 | kernel-rt | Not affected | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
This issue does not affect the version of the kernel package as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, 6 and Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2. This issue affects the versions of Linux kernel as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. Future kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 may address this issue.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
8.1 HIGH NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector Network
Attack Complexity High
Privileges Required None
User Interaction None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact High
Integrity Impact High
Availability Impact High
7.8 HIGH Red Hat
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector Local
Attack Complexity High
Privileges Required Low
User Interaction None
Scope Changed
Confidentiality Impact High
Integrity Impact High
Availability Impact High
6.8 MEDIUM NVD
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Access Vector Network
Access Complexity Medium
Authentication None
Confidentiality Impact Partial
Integrity Impact Partial
Availability Impact Partial
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
No CISA SSVC assessment for this CVE yet.
16.52% 0.16523
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
EPSS probability 0.16523
Score over time
2021–2026- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (36 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 16.52% (0.16523) | 96.91th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 16.52% (0.16523) | 96.58th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 7.14% (0.07138) | 91.30th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Jan 18, 2026 | 5.67% (0.05672) | 90.11th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 7.22% (0.07216) | 91.23th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 8.45% (0.08451) | 91.47th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Aug 30, 2025 | 7.06% (0.07060) | 91.14th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 8.38% (0.08376) | 91.87th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Jul 2, 2025 | 11.28% (0.11275) | 93.24th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| May 24, 2025 | 8.63% (0.08628) | 91.96th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 4.76% (0.04764) | 88.71th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 2, 2025 | 5.34% (0.05345) | 93.13th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jan 25, 2025 | 8.85% (0.08852) | 94.61th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Dec 17, 2024 | 5.71% (0.05711) | 93.24th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Nov 30, 2024 | 3.06% (0.03057) | 91.34th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 4.43% (0.04430) | 92.47th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Apr 3, 2024 | 3.58% (0.03579) | 91.44th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 15, 2024 | 4.87% (0.04872) | 92.56th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Feb 27, 2024 | 5.03% (0.05031) | 92.64th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Feb 9, 2024 | 5.50% (0.05499) | 92.92th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jan 7, 2024 | 4.76% (0.04759) | 91.84th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Nov 16, 2023 | 4.85% (0.04852) | 91.89th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Sep 11, 2023 | 5.09% (0.05093) | 91.96th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 29, 2023 | 4.05% (0.04049) | 90.90th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jul 8, 2023 | 3.01% (0.03010) | 89.53th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jun 29, 2023 | 2.97% (0.02974) | 89.47th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| May 27, 2023 | 2.50% (0.02499) | 88.53th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| May 16, 2023 | 2.62% (0.02622) | 88.75th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 3.68% (0.03676) | 90.30th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 18.33% (0.18327) | 96.32th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 18.33% (0.18327) | 95.99th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 38.05% (0.38053) | 97.22th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 3, 2022 | 21.69% (0.21692) | 94.47th | v1 |
| Jan 6, 2022 | 21.69% (0.21692) | 94.41th | v1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | 21.69% (0.21692) | 97.97th | v1 |
| Apr 14, 2021 | 21.69% (0.21692) | 0.00th | v1 |
Weaknesses (2)
References (32)
- http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=cfa39381173d5f969daf43582c95ad679189cbc9 x_refsource_MISCMailing ListPatchVendor Advisory
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107127 vdb-entryx_refsource_BIDBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2019:0959 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:0818 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:0833 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2809 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3967 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0103 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2019-6974 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1765 x_refsource_MISCExploitMailing ListPatchThird Party Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1671913 Issue Tracking
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.14.99 x_refsource_MISCMailing ListVendor Advisory
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.19.21 x_refsource_MISCMailing ListVendor Advisory
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.20.8 x_refsource_MISCMailing ListVendor Advisory
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.9.156 x_refsource_MISCMailing ListVendor Advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/cfa39381173d5f969daf43582c95ad679189cbc9 x_refsource_MISCExploitPatchThird Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00034.html mailing-listx_refsource_MLISTMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/04/msg00004.html mailing-listx_refsource_MLISTMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/05/msg00002.html mailing-listx_refsource_MLISTMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-6974
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K11186236 x_refsource_CONFIRMThird Party Advisory
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K11186236?utm_source=f5support&%3Butm_medium=RSS x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3930-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3930-2/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-2/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3932-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3932-2/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3933-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/3933-2/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTUThird Party Advisory
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-6974
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46388/ exploitx_refsource_EXPLOIT-DBThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.
Sources
CVE.org / MITRE
Status PUBLISHED
Assigner mitre
Published Feb 15, 2019
Updated Aug 4, 2024
Reserved Jan 26, 2019
Link CVE-2019-6974
CISA Vulnrichment
Updated n/a