CVE-2013-1051 in apt
Summary
by MITRE
apt 0.8.16, 0.9.7, and possibly other versions does not properly handle InRelease files, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to modify packages before installation via unknown vectors, possibly related to integrity checking and the use of third-party repositories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1051 affects the advanced package tool apt versions 0.8.16 and 0.9.7, representing a critical flaw in the package management system's handling of InRelease files. This issue creates a significant security gap that enables man-in-the-middle attackers to tamper with package contents during installation processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the apt client when processing InRelease files, which are crucial for verifying package integrity and authenticity. These files contain cryptographic signatures that should ensure packages originate from legitimate sources and have not been modified during transit. The flaw allows attackers to exploit the integrity checking mechanism, potentially compromising the entire package management infrastructure of affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of cryptographic verification processes within apt's package retrieval and installation workflows. When apt encounters InRelease files from third-party repositories, the software fails to properly validate the cryptographic signatures contained within these files. This weakness creates an opportunity for attackers to intercept package delivery streams and inject malicious code or modified packages without detection. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple package modification, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that package managers rely upon for secure software distribution. The attack vector typically involves network interception where malicious actors can alter package contents while they traverse from repository servers to client systems, exploiting the insufficient validation of repository metadata.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1051 is substantial across enterprise and individual computing environments that utilize Debian-based systems with affected apt versions. Organizations relying on third-party repositories for software management face elevated risks of supply chain attacks, where malicious actors can compromise software integrity and potentially gain persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects systems that regularly update packages from external sources, making it particularly dangerous for production environments where software freshness and security are paramount. Attackers could leverage this weakness to deliver rootkits, backdoors, or other malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate software updates, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected apt versions to address the cryptographic verification flaws in InRelease file handling. System administrators should implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous package delivery patterns and signature mismatches. The use of trusted repository sources and strict verification policies should be enforced across all systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as package integrity checking tools and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 related to command and scripting interpreter usage for persistence and privilege escalation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that package verification mechanisms function correctly and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the updated software stack.