CVE-2026-19816 PackageKit: dnf5 backend ignores SIMULATE on RepoRemove
An unprivileged local user can bypass simulation checks to perform real package uninstalls in systems using PackageKit with the dnf5 backend.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-19816?
CVE-2026-19816 is a high-severity vulnerability in Fedora, published on 14 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A flaw was found in PackageKit. PackageKit skips the polkit authorization check for transactions carrying the SIMULATE (dry-run) flag. In the dnf5 backend, the RepoRemove handler ignores that contract and always executes the real transaction because its guard is written as (role == REPO_REMOVE || !SIMULATE), which is always true for RepoRemove. An unprivileged local user can therefore perform a genuine package uninstall while claiming to simulate. This vulnerability only affects systems using PackageKit with the dnf5 backend.
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-19816?
Linux distribution packages (1)
PackageKit openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 1.4.0-1.1 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-19816?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2026-19816 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-19816 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-19816, GHSA-g5gf-h68q-gxc8, openSUSE-SU-2026:11855-1.