apt up to 1.6.3/1.7.0~alpha2 GPG Signature signature verification

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in apt up to 1.6.3/1.7.0~alpha2. This impacts an unknown function of the component GPG Signature Handler. Performing a manipulation results in signature verification. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2018-0501. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in apt up to 1.6.3/1.7.0~alpha2. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown code of the component GPG Signature Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a signature verification vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-347. The product does not verify, or incorrectly verifies, the cryptographic signature for data. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The mirror:// method implementation in Advanced Package Tool (APT) 1.6.x before 1.6.4 and 1.7.x before 1.7.0~alpha3 mishandles gpg signature verification for the InRelease file of a fallback mirror, aka mirrorfail.

The bug was discovered 04/29/2019. The weakness was shared 08/21/2018 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at usn.ubuntu.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2018-0501 since 11/26/2017. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 112032 (Ubuntu 18.04 LTS : apt vulnerability (USN-3746-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Ubuntu Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 197234 (Ubuntu Security Notification for APT Vulnerability (USN-3746-1)).

Upgrading to version 1.6.4 or 1.7.0~alpha3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (112032). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

• apt

Version

• 1.6.0
• 1.6.1
• 1.6.2
• 1.6.3
• 1.7.0~alpha2

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion