CVE-2015-1330 in unattended-upgrades
Summary
by MITRE
unattended-upgrades before 0.86.1 does not properly authenticate packages when the (1) force-confold or (2) force-confnew dpkg options are enabled in the DPkg::Options::* apt configuration, which allows remote man-in-the-middle attackers to upload and execute arbitrary packages via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1330 affects the unattended-upgrades package version 0.86.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in the package authentication mechanism. This issue specifically manifests when the dpkg configuration options DPkg::Options::force-confold or DPkg::Options::force-confnew are enabled, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper package authentication checks that occur during automated upgrade processes, where the system fails to validate package integrity when these specific dpkg options are active.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the interaction between the unattended-upgrades automation framework and the dpkg package management system. When force-confold or force-confnew options are configured, the system bypasses normal package verification procedures that would typically occur during package installation. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can intercept package downloads and substitute them with compromised versions, which will then be installed without proper authentication checks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of package management security and automated update mechanisms, exploiting a gap in the trust model between the package repository and the local system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through automated upgrade processes. This represents a significant compromise of system integrity and can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate automated update mechanisms, making detection more difficult and potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistence. Systems running affected versions of unattended-upgrades with the problematic dpkg configurations are at risk of being compromised without administrator awareness.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to unattended-upgrades version 0.86.1 or later, reviewing and disabling problematic dpkg configuration options, and implementing network-level protections such as certificate pinning and secure package repository configurations. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on anomalous package installation activities and network traffic patterns associated with package downloads.