CVE-2021-25683 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability, CVE-2021-25683, in the 'apport' package from Canonical was reported on February 2, 2021, by security researcher Itai Greenhut. This CVE has a CVSS base score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level due to improper input validation.

Understanding CVE-2021-25683

This section will provide insights into what CVE-2021-25683 entails.

What is CVE-2021-25683?

The vulnerability stems from the improper parsing of the '/proc/pid/stat' file by the 'get_starttime()' function in 'data/apport'.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25683

CVE-2021-25683 has a high severity level with a CVSS base score of 8.8. The vulnerability could potentially lead to confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25683

Here we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-25683.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper parsing of the '/proc/pid/stat' file, allowing potential threat actors to exploit the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The 'apport' versions less than '2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30', '2.20.9-0ubuntu7.23', '2.20.11-0ubuntu27.16', and '2.20.11-0ubuntu50.5' are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is triggered by the mishandling of the '/proc/pid/stat' file, which could be exploited by local attackers with low privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will cover the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-25683 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to update the 'apport' package to versions that address this vulnerability and monitor for any unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing proper input validation mechanisms and regularly updating system packages can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Canonical and apply patches promptly to secure systems against potential exploits.