CVE-2021-32554

Local data disclosure via unsafe hook file reads

Published Jun 12, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Improper link resolution in Canonical Apport allows local users to read private data through xorg package crash-report hooks. The read_file() helper in apport/hookutils.py opens supplied paths without rejecting symbolic links or FIFOs, so privileged hook collection reads attacker-controlled targets. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and an xorg package hook invocation; the documented impact is disclosure of private file contents.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Canonical Apport allows local users to read private data through xorg package crash-report hooks. The read_file() helper in apport/hookutils.py opens supplied paths without rejecting symbolic links or FIFOs, so privileged hook collection reads attacker-controlled targets. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and an xorg package hook invocation; the documented impact is disclosure of private file contents.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32554
Published
Jun 12, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Canonical
Product
Apport
Classifications
CWE-59, CWE-61, T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 12, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.14.1-0ubuntu3 <2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm7
  2. Affected versionversion=2.20.11-0ubuntu27 <2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18
  3. Affected versionversion=2.20.11-0ubuntu50 <2.20.11-0ubuntu50.7
  4. Affected versionversion=2.20.11-0ubuntu65 <2.20.11-0ubuntu65.1
  5. Affected versionversion=2.20.1 <2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm1
  6. Affected versionversion=2.20.9 <2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Canonical · Apportversion=2.14.1-0ubuntu3 <2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm7; version=2.20.11-0ubuntu27 <2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18; version=2.20.11-0ubuntu50 <2.20.11-0ubuntu50.7; version=2.20.11-0ubuntu65 <2.20.11-0ubuntu65.1; version=2.20.1 <2.20.1-0ubuntu2.30+esm1; version=2.20.9 <2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
7.3Canonical Ltd.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CWE-61UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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