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.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canonical | Apport | 2.20.1 – < 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9 – < 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11 – < 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 | 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23 |
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.
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | apport | 2.20.11-0ubuntu22 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | apport | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14 | USN-4315-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | apport | 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23 | USN-4315-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | apport | 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm4 | USN-4315-2 |
Advisories 2
- USN-4315-1 apport vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-4315-2 apport vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026