# CVE-2020-27351: Various memory and file descriptor leaks in apt-python

> Memory and file descriptor leaks in python-apt allow attackers to cause denial of service by exhausting system resources.

- **Severity:** Low 2.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 10 Dec 2020
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2020-27351, DLA-2488-1, DSA-4809-1, GHSA-mfw3-hgv3-pg44, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-27351, USN-4668-1, USN-4668-4

## What is CVE-2020-27351?

CVE-2020-27351 is a low-severity denial of service vulnerability in Canonical python-apt, published on 10 Dec 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

Various memory and file descriptor leaks were found in apt-python files python/arfile.cc, python/tag.cc, python/tarfile.cc, aka GHSL-2020-170. This issue affects: python-apt 1.1.0~beta1 versions prior to 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.10; 1.6.5ubuntu0 versions prior to 1.6.5ubuntu0.4; 2.0.0ubuntu0 versions prior to 2.0.0ubuntu0.20.04.2; 2.1.3ubuntu1 versions prior to 2.1.3ubuntu1.1;

Weakness: CWE-772 (Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-27351?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Debian Advanced Package Tool.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-27351?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2020-27351 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-27351 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Canonical python-apt

- [CVE-2009-1358](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1358/): Security feature bypass in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2009-1300](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1300/): Denial of service in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2014-0487](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-0487/): Security feature bypass in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2014-0489](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-0489/): Code injection in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2014-0490](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-0490/): Code injection in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-27351 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-27351 is a low-severity denial of service vulnerability in Canonical python-apt, published on 10 Dec 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.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-27351 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Canonical python-apt. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-27351/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-27351/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-27351
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-27351
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-27351

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-27351/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.