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CVE Record

CVE-2020-3810: Missing input validation in the ar/tar implementations of APT before version 2.1.2 could result in denial o...

Missing input validation in the ar/tar implementations of APT before version 2.1.2 could result in denial of service when processing specially crafted deb files.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-3810 is a denial-of-service flaw in APT’s handling of deb package archive formats. A specially crafted deb file could make vulnerable APT versions fail while processing it. The available sources identify APT before 2.1.2 as affected, with no evidence in the bundle of active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a routine but real availability risk. It is unlikely to justify emergency action without vulnerable package-processing exposure, but patching should be included in normal Linux security maintenance and prioritized for systems handling external deb files.

Technical view

APT before 2.1.2 lacked input validation in its ar/tar implementations. The documented impact is denial of service during processing of specially crafted deb files. The bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, or detailed exploitability conditions beyond package processing.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on systems or workflows using vulnerable APT versions to process deb files, especially where packages can originate from untrusted or less-controlled sources. Debian is listed as affected; Ubuntu and Fedora advisories are referenced as vendor guidance.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. Exploitation appears to require getting a vulnerable APT workflow to process a specially crafted deb file. The documented outcome is denial of service, not code execution or privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports an input-validation denial-of-service issue fixed around APT 2.1.2. The bundle does not include CVSS scoring, CWE mapping, proof of active exploitation, or a broader affected-version matrix. Avoid assuming impacts beyond denial of service.

Mitigation direction

  • Update APT to version 2.1.2 or the vendor-fixed package level.
  • Review Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora advisories for distribution-specific fixed versions.
  • Avoid processing deb files from untrusted sources on vulnerable systems.
  • Prioritize package-build, repository, and automation hosts that ingest deb files.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory APT versions across Debian-family hosts and build environments.
  • Confirm installed packages meet the fixed versions in applicable vendor advisories.
  • Review automation that downloads, mirrors, scans, or installs deb files.
  • Check whether untrusted package ingestion is permitted in affected workflows.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2020-3810 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
9Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Debianaptbefore 2.1.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.