CVE-2021-25684 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in apport in data/apport could allow an attacker to stall the application by reading a FIFO file.

Understanding CVE-2021-25684

This CVE pertains to a flaw in the way apport handles report files, potentially leading to hanging reads in a FIFO.

What is CVE-2021-25684?

CVE-2021-25684 involves an improper file opening issue in apport, impacting its functionality and potentially causing denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25684

This vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS base score of 8.8. It can result in a loss of integrity, confidentiality, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25684

The vulnerability resides in apport versions less than 2.20.11 and can be exploited locally with low privileges required.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from a failure to properly open a report file, leading to hanging reads on a FIFO file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 2.20.1, 2.20.9, 2.20.11-0ubuntu27, and 2.20.11-0ubuntu50 of apport are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability locally, potentially resulting in a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-25684, users should apply relevant patches and take immediate steps to enhance the security of their systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to update apport to version 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.16 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating software and maintaining a robust security posture can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Canonical has released a patch to address this issue. Users are advised to update their apport installation to the latest version available.