Description
PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. The apt security model is based on repository trust and not on the contents of individual files. On sites with configured PolicyKit rules this may allow users to install malicious packages.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PackageKit | packagekit | 1.1.13-2ubuntu – < 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1, 1.1.9-1ubuntu – < 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6, 0.8.17-4ubuntu – < 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5 | 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1 |
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 | packagekit | 1.2.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | packagekit | 1.2.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | packagekit | 1.2.1-1 | — |
| Debian 9 | packagekit | 1.1.5-2+deb9u2 | DLA-2399-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | packagekit | 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1 | USN-4538-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | packagekit | 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6 | USN-4538-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | packagekit | 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5 | USN-4538-1 |
Advisories 2
- USN-4538-1 packagekit vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-2399-1 packagekit - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026