CVE-2020-8831
World writable root owned lock file created in user controllable location
CVE-2020-8831 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.5) in Apport Project Apport, published April 2, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.65%, the 51st percentile. Fixed in apport 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm4.
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
6.5
World writable root owned lock file created in user controllable location
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
- Record
CVE-2020-8831- CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-379
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-29674
6.5
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
- Record
EUVD-2020-29674- CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-33w2-prhc-2q89
5.5
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock...
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
- Record
GHSA-33w2-prhc-2q89- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-59
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
6.5
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
- Record
CVE-2020-8831- CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 2.1 Low
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-379, CWE-59
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-8831
5.5
Apport creates a world writable lock file with root ownership in the world writable /var/lock/apport directory. If the apport/ directory does not exist (this is not uncommon as /var/lock is a tmpfs), it will create the directory, otherwise it will simply continue execution using the existing directory. This allows for a symlink attack if an attacker were to create a symlink at /var/lock/apport, changing apport's lock file location. This file could then be used to escalate privileges, for example. Fixed in versions 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, 2.20.11-0ubuntu8.8 and 2.20.11-0ubuntu22.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-8831- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 6.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4315-1 No score
apport vulnerabilities
Maximilien Bourgeteau discovered that the Apport lock file was created with insecure permissions. This could allow a local attacker to escalate their privileges via a symlink attack. (CVE-2020-8831)
Maximilien Bourgeteau discovered a race condition in Apport when setting crash report permissions. This could allow a local attacker to read arbitrary files via a symlink attack. (CVE-2020-8833)
- Record
USN-4315-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4315-2 No score
apport vulnerabilities
USN-4315-1 fixed several vulnerabilities in Apport. This update provides the corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 ESM.
Original advisory details:
Maximilien Bourgeteau discovered that the Apport lock file was created with insecure permissions. This could allow a local attacker to escalate their privileges via a symlink attack. (CVE-2020-8831)
Maximilien Bourgeteau discovered a race condition in Apport when setting crash report permissions. This could allow a local attacker to read arbitrary files via a symlink attack. (CVE-2020-8833)
- Record
USN-4315-2- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
apportUbuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS |
before 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm4, plus listed versions 2.12.5-0ubuntu22.12.6-0ubuntu12.12.7-0ubuntu12.12.7-0ubuntu22.12.7-0ubuntu3 Show 40 moreShow less2.12.7-0ubuntu62.13.1-0ubuntu12.13.1-0ubuntu22.13.2-0ubuntu22.13.2-0ubuntu32.13.2-0ubuntu42.13.2-0ubuntu52.13.3-0ubuntu12.14-0ubuntu12.14.1-0ubuntu12.14.1-0ubuntu22.14.1-0ubuntu32.14.1-0ubuntu3.12.14.1-0ubuntu3.22.14.1-0ubuntu3.32.14.1-0ubuntu3.42.14.1-0ubuntu3.52.14.1-0ubuntu3.62.14.1-0ubuntu3.72.14.1-0ubuntu3.82.14.1-0ubuntu3.92.14.1-0ubuntu3.102.14.1-0ubuntu3.112.14.1-0ubuntu3.122.14.1-0ubuntu3.132.14.1-0ubuntu3.152.14.1-0ubuntu3.162.14.1-0ubuntu3.182.14.1-0ubuntu3.192.14.1-0ubuntu3.202.14.1-0ubuntu3.212.14.1-0ubuntu3.232.14.1-0ubuntu3.242.14.1-0ubuntu3.252.14.1-0ubuntu3.272.14.1-0ubuntu3.282.14.1-0ubuntu3.292.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm12.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm22.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm3 |
2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm4 |
apportUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
before 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23, plus listed versions 2.19.1-0ubuntu32.19.2-0ubuntu12.19.2-0ubuntu22.19.2-0ubuntu32.19.2-0ubuntu4 Show 31 moreShow less2.19.2-0ubuntu52.19.2-0ubuntu62.19.2-0ubuntu82.19.2-0ubuntu92.19.3-0ubuntu12.19.3-0ubuntu22.19.3-0ubuntu32.19.4-0ubuntu12.19.4-0ubuntu22.20-0ubuntu22.20-0ubuntu32.20.1-0ubuntu12.20.1-0ubuntu22.20.1-0ubuntu2.12.20.1-0ubuntu2.22.20.1-0ubuntu2.42.20.1-0ubuntu2.52.20.1-0ubuntu2.62.20.1-0ubuntu2.92.20.1-0ubuntu2.102.20.1-0ubuntu2.122.20.1-0ubuntu2.132.20.1-0ubuntu2.142.20.1-0ubuntu2.152.20.1-0ubuntu2.162.20.1-0ubuntu2.172.20.1-0ubuntu2.182.20.1-0ubuntu2.192.20.1-0ubuntu2.202.20.1-0ubuntu2.212.20.1-0ubuntu2.22 |
2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23 |
apportUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
before 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14, plus listed versions 2.20.7-0ubuntu32.20.7-0ubuntu3.12.20.7-0ubuntu42.20.8-0ubuntu12.20.8-0ubuntu2 Show 26 moreShow less2.20.8-0ubuntu32.20.8-0ubuntu42.20.8-0ubuntu52.20.8-0ubuntu62.20.8-0ubuntu72.20.8-0ubuntu82.20.8-0ubuntu92.20.8-0ubuntu102.20.9-0ubuntu12.20.9-0ubuntu22.20.9-0ubuntu42.20.9-0ubuntu52.20.9-0ubuntu62.20.9-0ubuntu72.20.9-0ubuntu7.12.20.9-0ubuntu7.22.20.9-0ubuntu7.32.20.9-0ubuntu7.42.20.9-0ubuntu7.52.20.9-0ubuntu7.62.20.9-0ubuntu7.72.20.9-0ubuntu7.82.20.9-0ubuntu7.92.20.9-0ubuntu7.112.20.9-0ubuntu7.122.20.9-0ubuntu7.13 |
2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14 |
apportUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
before 2.20.11-0ubuntu22, plus listed versions 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.20.11-0ubuntu92.20.11-0ubuntu132.20.11-0ubuntu142.20.11-0ubuntu15 Show 6 moreShow less2.20.11-0ubuntu162.20.11-0ubuntu172.20.11-0ubuntu182.20.11-0ubuntu192.20.11-0ubuntu202.20.11-0ubuntu21 |
2.20.11-0ubuntu22 |
History
| When | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-03 | aliases | EUVD |
| 2026-11-02 | created | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |