Description
An issue was discovered in network-manager-applet (aka network-manager-gnome) in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 14.04 LTS, 16.04 LTS, and 16.10. A local attacker could use this issue at the default Ubuntu login screen to access local files and execute arbitrary commands as the lightdm user. The exploitation requires physical access to the locked computer and the Wi-Fi must be turned on. An access point that lets you use a certificate to login is required as well, but it's easy to create one. Then, it's possible to open a nautilus window and browse directories. One also can open some applications such as Firefox, which is useful for downloading malicious binaries.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | network-manager-applet | No fix yet | — |
| Debian 13 | network-manager-applet | No fix yet | — |
| Debian 12 | network-manager-applet | No fix yet | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | network-manager-applet | 1.2.6-0ubuntu0.16.04.2 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | network-manager-applet | 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu4.5 | — |
Advisories 1
- WID-SEC-2025-0117 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jan 19, 2025