Description
python-apt only checks the MD5 sums of downloaded files in `Version.fetch_binary()` and `Version.fetch_source()` of apt/package.py in version 1.9.0ubuntu1 and earlier. This allows a man-in-the-middle attack which could potentially be used to install altered packages and has been fixed in versions 1.9.0ubuntu1.2, 1.6.5ubuntu0.1, 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.7, 0.9.3.5ubuntu3+esm2, and 0.8.3ubuntu7.5.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canonical | Python-apt | 0.8.3 – < 0.8.3ubuntu7.5, 0.9.3.5 – < 0.9.3.5ubuntu3+esm2, 1.1.0 – < 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.7, 1.6.5 – < 1.6.5ubuntu0.1, 1.9.0 – < 1.9.0ubuntu1.2 | 0.8.3ubuntu7.5 |
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 | python-apt | 1.8.5 | — |
| Debian 13 | python-apt | 1.8.5 | — |
| Debian 12 | python-apt | 1.8.5 | — |
| Debian 10 | python-apt | 1.8.4.1 | DSA-4609-1 |
| Debian 9 | python-apt | 1.4.1 | DSA-4609-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 8 | python-apt | 0.9.3.13 | DLA-2074-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | python-apt | 1.6.5ubuntu0.1 | USN-4247-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | python-apt | 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.7 | USN-4247-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | python-apt | 0.9.3.5ubuntu3+esm2 | USN-4247-3 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyPI | python-apt | < 0.8.3ubuntu7.5 | 0.8.3ubuntu7.5 | GHSA-rp8m-h266-53jh |
| PyPI | python-apt | >= 0.9.0, < 0.9.3.5ubuntu3 | 0.9.3.5ubuntu3 | GHSA-rp8m-h266-53jh |
| PyPI | python-apt | >= 1.0.0, < 1.1.0 | 1.1.0 | GHSA-rp8m-h266-53jh |
| PyPI | python-apt | >= 1.2.0, < 1.6.5ubuntu0.1 | 1.6.5ubuntu0.1 | GHSA-rp8m-h266-53jh |
| PyPI | python-apt | >= 1.7.0, < 1.9.0ubuntu1.2 | 1.9.0ubuntu1.2 | GHSA-rp8m-h266-53jh |
Advisories 4
- USN-4247-1 python-apt vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-4247-3 python-apt vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-4609-1 python-apt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2074-1 python-apt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4247-1/ vendor-advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4247-3/ vendor-advisory