CVE-2021-32552 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability has been discovered in the

apport

package on Ubuntu, allowing the

read_file()

function to follow maliciously constructed symbolic links, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized local users.

Understanding CVE-2021-20657

This CVE-2021-32552 affects versions of the

apport

package on Ubuntu, presenting a high severity threat due to improper handling of symbolic links.

What is CVE-2021-20657?

The vulnerability arises from the

apport/hookutils.py

script, where the

read_file()

function can unknowingly disclose private information to unauthorized users when used by specific packages like

openjdk-16

.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20657

With a CVSS base score of 7.3, this vulnerability poses a high risk to confidentiality, potentially allowing local attackers to access sensitive data by exploiting symbolic links.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20657

Below are the technical details surrounding CVE-2021-32552:

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the

read_file()

function of

apport/hookutils.py

, which could be manipulated by local users to access private data through symlinks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts various versions of the

apport

package on Ubuntu, including versions 2.20.1, 2.20.9, 2.20.11-0ubuntu27, 2.20.11-0ubuntu50, 2.20.11-0ubuntu65, and 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with local access could exploit the vulnerability by manipulating symbolic links, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-32552, consider the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the

apport

package to a non-vulnerable version and apply security patches promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict file permission settings, conduct regular security audits, and monitor symlink usage to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Canonical and apply updates promptly to protect systems from potential exploits.