CVE-2014-0490 in apt
Summary
by MITRE
The apt-get download command in APT before 1.0.9 does not properly validate signatures for packages, 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-2014-0490 represents a critical security flaw in the Advanced Package Tool (APT) ecosystem affecting versions prior to 1.0.9. This issue resides within the apt-get download command functionality where the system fails to properly validate cryptographic signatures associated with software packages. The weakness creates a pathway for malicious actors to compromise systems through package manipulation, fundamentally undermining the integrity and security of package management operations that are foundational to linux system administration.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient signature validation mechanisms within the APT package management system. When users execute apt-get download commands, the tool should verify the authenticity and integrity of downloaded packages through cryptographic signature checks. However, in affected versions, this validation process is bypassed or inadequately implemented, allowing attackers to substitute legitimate packages with malicious counterparts that appear to be properly signed. This flaw operates at the core of software supply chain security, where the trust model between package repositories and end-user systems becomes compromised. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in security tokens, and more specifically with CWE-310, concerning cryptographic issues that weaken the security of cryptographic systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0490 extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it represents a complete breakdown in package authenticity verification. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious packages that appear legitimate to the APT system, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the download command. This threat model enables several attack vectors including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and system compromise that can affect entire network infrastructures. The vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where automated package management and deployment systems are common, as the compromise of a single package repository can lead to widespread system infiltration. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1547.001 for registry run keys, as compromised systems may be used for persistent access and execution of malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0490 require immediate system updates to APT versions 1.0.9 or later where the signature validation has been properly implemented. Organizations should also implement additional security layers including package integrity monitoring, repository verification procedures, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised packages. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems using affected APT versions and establish monitoring protocols for unauthorized package installations. The remediation process must include verification of package signatures through multiple validation methods and implementation of secure package management practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-53 for configuration management and security assessment. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing software composition analysis tools that can detect and alert on potentially malicious package modifications, providing defense-in-depth against similar supply chain attacks.