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CVE-2020-16122

Packagekit's apt backend lets user install untrusted local packages

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: November 7, 2020 at 04:10 AM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:57 AM UTC
3 products affected across 3 vendorsUbuntu LinuxPackagekitPackageKit

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.3%

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Ubuntu Linux· Canonicalrubygems
95%
16.0418.0420.04
Packagekit· Packagekit Project
95%
All versions
PackageKit· Packagekit
60%
0.8.17-4ubuntu ≤ v < 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.51.1.13-2ubuntu ≤ v < 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.11.1.9-1ubuntu ≤ v < 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.60.8.17-4ubuntu1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1.9-1ubuntu
Affected range stops below 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

References (1)

x_refsource_MISCIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
Source: [email protected]
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/1882098

CVSS

7.8HIGH[email protected]
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-269CWE-345

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