CVE-2019-6974 · cross-distro fix matrix

CVE-2019-6974: 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.

Affects 3 Linux releases across 3 (distro × package) combinations.

Elevated exploitation risk

FIRST EPSS puts CVE-2019-6974's probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 17% (97th percentile of all CVEs)— well above the noise floor. Prioritize it.

EPSS:17% · 30-day exploit probability97th percentile

Fix per ecosystem

Each block below is a distro release where CVE-2019-6974 has a known fix. Run the listed command on that distro to remediate.

Debian bullseye

Source: Debian Security Tracker

linux→ fixed in4.19.20-1urgency: not yet assigned
```
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y linux
```

Debian bookworm

Source: Debian Security Tracker

linux→ fixed in4.19.20-1urgency: not yet assigned
```
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y linux
```

Debian trixie

Source: Debian Security Tracker

linux→ fixed in4.19.20-1urgency: not yet assigned
```
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y linux
```

Are YOU affected by CVE-2019-6974?

5-second check on your actual server. Reads /etc/os-release, uname -r, and the distro's package manager; matches against this same cross-source index live.

curl https://mindsparkstack.com/scan.sh | bash

Form-based quickscan View on NVD

Continuous monitoring beats manual checking

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