CVE-2020-8831

World writable root owned lock file created in user controllable location

Published Apr 22, 2020 CVSS 3.1 · 6.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2020-29674 Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-4315-1 Apport vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-4315-2 Apport vulnerabilities
History

No history.

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
canonical
Published
Updated
Sep 16, 2024, 7:00 PM
Reserved
Feb 10, 2020, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Apr 22, 2020, 10:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 3:27 AM