Libvirt: unsafe chown in qemutpmemulatorpreparehost() allows arbitrary file ownership change via symlink (CVE-2026-77159) | HOL Guard CVE

Unknown severity · Source severity not reportedCVE-2026-77159

Libvirt: unsafe chown in qemutpmemulatorpreparehost() allows arbitrary file ownership change via symlink

Answer in brief

CVE-2026-77159 records a Unknown severity vulnerability in Libvirt: unsafe chown in qemutpmemulatorpreparehost() allows arbitrary file ownership change via symlink. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Affected software not mapped in the current feed; confirm the named product and version against your inventory.

Analysis pending evidence review

HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.

Published Sep 11, 2026Updated Sep 11, 2026Source checked Sep 12, 2026First seen by HOL Sep 11, 2026Material review Sep 11, 2026

Upstream Advisory

Key facts

Risk: Unknown severitySource severity not reported
Exploitation: Not marked as known exploited
Affected software: Not mapped
Fix availability: Not reported

Why this deserves its current priority

A CVSS score is not reported in the current record. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.

Analysis status

Analysis pending evidence review

Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.

Affected scope and exposure questions

Affected software not mapped in the current feed; confirm the named product and version against your inventory.

Recommended response

Confirm exposure. Identify whether the named product or interface exists in your inventory, then review the linked upstream references for affected versions and vendor guidance.

Evidence timeline and material changes

Published upstream
Sep 11, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
Source modified
Sep 11, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
First seen by HOL
Sep 11, 2026

Sources and claim methodology

Upstream source 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.

Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.