CVE-2020-16122 Packagekit's apt backend lets user install untrusted local packages

What is CVE-2020-16122?

CVE-2020-16122 is a high-severity vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 7 Nov 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-345, CWE-269

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-16122?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Packagekit Project Packagekit.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16122?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2020-16122 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-16122 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Canonical Ubuntu Linux

• CVE-2020-11651 SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2020-7247 OpenSMTPD Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2019-16928 Exim Out-of-bounds Write Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2018-6789 Exim Buffer Overflow Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2015-2590 Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded Remote Code Execution Exploited Critical 9.8

All Canonical Ubuntu Linux vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2020-16122, GHSA-jfj4-x686-g8vv, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-16122.