Every CVE Search/ Get API key

CVE-2020-8831

World writable root owned lock file created in user controllable location

6.5 MediumFix available

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

0.65%Down 0.8 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS: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 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
CVSS 3.1
5.5 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
CVSS 2.0
2.1 LowAV: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 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
CVSS 3.1
6.5 MediumCVSS: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

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
apport
Ubuntu: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 less
2.12.7-0ubuntu62.13.1-0ubuntu12.13.1-0ubuntu22.13.2-0ubuntu22.13.2-0ubuntu32.13.2-0ubuntu42.13.2-0ubuntu52.13.3-0ubuntu12.14-0ubuntu12.14.1-0ubuntu12.14.1-0ubuntu22.14.1-0ubuntu32.14.1-0ubuntu3.12.14.1-0ubuntu3.22.14.1-0ubuntu3.32.14.1-0ubuntu3.42.14.1-0ubuntu3.52.14.1-0ubuntu3.62.14.1-0ubuntu3.72.14.1-0ubuntu3.82.14.1-0ubuntu3.92.14.1-0ubuntu3.102.14.1-0ubuntu3.112.14.1-0ubuntu3.122.14.1-0ubuntu3.132.14.1-0ubuntu3.152.14.1-0ubuntu3.162.14.1-0ubuntu3.182.14.1-0ubuntu3.192.14.1-0ubuntu3.202.14.1-0ubuntu3.212.14.1-0ubuntu3.232.14.1-0ubuntu3.242.14.1-0ubuntu3.252.14.1-0ubuntu3.272.14.1-0ubuntu3.282.14.1-0ubuntu3.292.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm12.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm22.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm3
2.14.1-0ubuntu3.29+esm4
apport
Ubuntu: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 less
2.19.2-0ubuntu52.19.2-0ubuntu62.19.2-0ubuntu82.19.2-0ubuntu92.19.3-0ubuntu12.19.3-0ubuntu22.19.3-0ubuntu32.19.4-0ubuntu12.19.4-0ubuntu22.20-0ubuntu22.20-0ubuntu32.20.1-0ubuntu12.20.1-0ubuntu22.20.1-0ubuntu2.12.20.1-0ubuntu2.22.20.1-0ubuntu2.42.20.1-0ubuntu2.52.20.1-0ubuntu2.62.20.1-0ubuntu2.92.20.1-0ubuntu2.102.20.1-0ubuntu2.122.20.1-0ubuntu2.132.20.1-0ubuntu2.142.20.1-0ubuntu2.152.20.1-0ubuntu2.162.20.1-0ubuntu2.172.20.1-0ubuntu2.182.20.1-0ubuntu2.192.20.1-0ubuntu2.202.20.1-0ubuntu2.212.20.1-0ubuntu2.22
2.20.1-0ubuntu2.23
apport
Ubuntu: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 less
2.20.8-0ubuntu32.20.8-0ubuntu42.20.8-0ubuntu52.20.8-0ubuntu62.20.8-0ubuntu72.20.8-0ubuntu82.20.8-0ubuntu92.20.8-0ubuntu102.20.9-0ubuntu12.20.9-0ubuntu22.20.9-0ubuntu42.20.9-0ubuntu52.20.9-0ubuntu62.20.9-0ubuntu72.20.9-0ubuntu7.12.20.9-0ubuntu7.22.20.9-0ubuntu7.32.20.9-0ubuntu7.42.20.9-0ubuntu7.52.20.9-0ubuntu7.62.20.9-0ubuntu7.72.20.9-0ubuntu7.82.20.9-0ubuntu7.92.20.9-0ubuntu7.112.20.9-0ubuntu7.122.20.9-0ubuntu7.13
2.20.9-0ubuntu7.14
apport
Ubuntu: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 less
2.20.11-0ubuntu162.20.11-0ubuntu172.20.11-0ubuntu182.20.11-0ubuntu192.20.11-0ubuntu202.20.11-0ubuntu21
2.20.11-0ubuntu22

History

History
WhenChangedSources
2026-11-03aliasesEUVD
2026-11-02createdCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

References

Show 4 moreShow less
MoveEnter Open