CVE-2021-32550

apport read_file() function could follow maliciously constructed symbolic links

MEDIUM

5.5

CVSS Score

Published: June 12, 2021 at 03:40 AM UTC

Updated: June 17, 2026 at 03:53 AM UTC

2 products affected across 2 vendorsUbuntu LinuxApport

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Severity

MEDIUM5.5

Exploit prediction

EPSS 0.3%

Description

It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the openjdk-14 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.

Affected

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

Ubuntu Linux · Canonicalrubygems

95%

18.04 20.04 20.10 21.04 21.10

Apport · Apport Project

60%

2.14.1-0ubuntu3 ≤ v < 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm72.20.1 ≤ v < 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm12.20.11-0ubuntu27 ≤ v < 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.182.20.11-0ubuntu50 ≤ v < 2.20.11-0ubuntu50.72.20.11-0ubuntu65 ≤ v < 2.20.11-0ubuntu65.12.20.9 ≤ v < 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.242.14.1-0ubuntu3 2.20.1 2.20.11-0ubuntu27 2.20.11-0ubuntu50 2.20.11-0ubuntu65 2.20.9

Affected range stops below 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm7, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.20.11-0ubuntu50.7, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.20.11-0ubuntu65.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904

References (1)

x_refsource_MISCIssue TrackingVendor Advisory

Source: [email protected]

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904

CVSS

5.5MEDIUM[email protected]

Attack Vector: LOCAL
Complexity: LOW
Privileges: LOW
User Interaction: NONE
Scope: UNCHANGED
Confidentiality: HIGH
Integrity: NONE
Availability: NONE

Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED

CWE

CWE-59CWE-61

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