Ubuntu Security Notice 5122-2 - USN-5122-1 fixed a vulnerability in Apport. This update provides the corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 ESM and Ubuntu 16.04 ESM. It was discovered that Apport could be tricked into writing core files as root into arbitrary directories in certain scenarios. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to escalate privileges. On Ubuntu 16.04 ESM This update will cause Apport to generate all core files in the /var/lib/apport/coredump directory. On Ubuntu 14.04 ESM, core file generation has been disabled by default. Various other issues were also addressed.
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Ubuntu Security Notice USN-5122-2
October 26, 2021
apport vulnerability
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A security issue affects these releases of Ubuntu and its derivatives:
- Ubuntu 16.04 ESM
- Ubuntu 14.04 ESM
Summary:
Apport could be made to create files as the administrator.
Software Description:
- apport: automatically generate crash reports for debugging
Details:
USN-5122-1 fixed a vulnerability in Apport. This update provides
the corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 ESM and Ubuntu 16.04 ESM.
Original advisory details:
It was discovered that Apport could be tricked into writing core files as
root into arbitrary directories in certain scenarios. A local attacker
could possibly use this issue to escalate privileges. On Ubuntu 16.04 ESM
This update will cause Apport to generate all core files in the /var/lib/apport/coredump
directory. On Ubuntu 14.04 ESM, core file generation has been disabled by default.
Update instructions:
The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following
package versions:
Ubuntu 16.04 ESM:
apport 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm3
python3-apport 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm3
Ubuntu 14.04 ESM:
apport 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm9
python3-apport 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm9
In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.
References:
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-5122-2
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-5122-1
https://launchpad.net/bugs/1948657