CVE-2020-16122 - CVE House
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Status published High CVE-2020-16122

Packagekit's apt backend lets user install untrusted local packages

Vulnerability Description

PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. The apt security model is based on repository trust and not on the contents of individual files. On sites with configured PolicyKit rules this may allow users to install malicious packages.

Impact Analysis

Refer to official advisory for detailed impact metrics.

Remediation

Ensure systems are updated to the latest vendor-supplied patch levels.

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Credits & Attribution

The following person or organization is credited with identifying this vulnerability, as recorded in the NVD database:

  • Sami Niemimäki and Esko Järnfors

References

More from PackageKit

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CVE-2020-16121
PackageKit error messages leak presence and mimetype of files to unprivileged users
Low 3.3

Affected Vendor

Affected Software

packagekit
Vulnerable Versions:
1.1.13-2ubuntu, 1.1.9-1ubuntu, 0.8.17-4ubuntu

Timeline

Official Publish: November 7th, 2020
Last Modified: September 16th, 2024
Added to House: July 21st, 2026

CVSS Vectors

V3: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-269

MITRE ATT&CK TTPs

T1078 Valid Accounts
Persistence
T1098 Account Manipulation
Privilege Escalation
T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Privilege Escalation
T1222 File and Directory Permissions Modification
Defense Evasion
T1134 Access Token Manipulation
Defense Evasion