CVE-2014-0489 in apt
Summary
by MITRE
APT before 1.0.9, when the Acquire::GzipIndexes option is enabled, does not validate checksums, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0489 affects APT (Advanced Package Tool) versions prior to 1.0.9, representing a critical security flaw in the package management system used by Debian and Ubuntu Linux distributions. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the Acquire::GzipIndexes option is enabled, creating a condition where the package manager fails to validate checksums during package acquisition processes. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and integrity checking mechanisms within the APT implementation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate package data without detection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of package index files that APT uses to determine available packages and their versions. When Acquire::GzipIndexes is enabled, APT compresses index files to reduce bandwidth usage, but this compression process occurs without proper cryptographic verification of the data integrity. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious package files that appear legitimate to the package manager but contain malicious code designed to execute when the package is installed or updated. This represents a classic example of a man-in-the-middle attack vector where network-based adversaries can inject malicious content into package repositories.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0489 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems through package management channels. Once executed, malicious code can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware components. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on APT for package management, which includes virtually all Debian-based distributions and their derivatives. This creates a widespread attack surface since APT is the standard package management tool across numerous enterprise and consumer Linux environments. The attack requires minimal sophistication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be automated and deployed at scale.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through package management systems. Organizations should immediately update their APT installations to version 1.0.9 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling the Acquire::GzipIndexes option if not required, implementing network-level controls to monitor package repository communications, and conducting regular security audits of package management systems. System administrators should also consider implementing package integrity checking mechanisms and maintaining updated security baselines for all APT-managed systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of cryptographic verification in package management systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core system components.