CVE-2012-0949 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The Apport hook in Update Manager as used by Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 11.10, and 11.04 uploads certain system state archive files when reporting bugs to Launchpad, which allows remote attackers to read repository credentials by viewing a public bug report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0949 represents a critical security flaw in the Ubuntu Update Manager's Apport hook implementation, specifically affecting Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 11.10, and 11.04 versions. This issue stems from improper handling of system state archive files during bug reporting processes, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive repository credentials to unauthorized parties. The flaw occurs when the Update Manager's Apport hook automatically uploads system state files to Launchpad when users report bugs, inadvertently including authentication credentials that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Apport hook mechanism within Ubuntu's Update Manager, which is designed to collect diagnostic information when system issues occur. However, the hook fails to properly sanitize or filter system state archive files before uploading them to public bug tracking systems. These archive files contain repository configuration information including username and password credentials for package repositories, which are automatically extracted and uploaded without proper access controls or encryption. This behavior directly violates security principles related to least privilege and information classification, as sensitive authentication data becomes publicly accessible through the bug reporting system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating significant risks for system administrators and end users who rely on Ubuntu's package management infrastructure. Remote attackers can simply access public bug reports on Launchpad to obtain repository credentials, potentially enabling them to gain unauthorized access to package repositories, modify package contents, or perform malicious package installations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any attacker with access to the public bug reporting system. This weakness undermines the integrity of Ubuntu's package management ecosystem and creates opportunities for supply chain attacks against affected systems.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), while also aligning with ATT&CK techniques such as T1566 (Phishing) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) through the exposure of authentication material. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices within the system's bug reporting mechanism, highlighting the importance of implementing proper data filtering and access control measures. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including disabling automatic bug reporting for sensitive systems, manually reviewing and sanitizing bug report contents, and ensuring that repository credentials are properly secured using encrypted configuration files or alternative authentication mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-based monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to exposed credentials and establish proper incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios.