Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Canonical apport could let a local user cause crash-report collection logic to expose private data when openjdk-16 apport hooks use the vulnerable read_file() helper. This is mainly a shared-host risk: an attacker needs local access, but successful exploitation could leak sensitive information from another context.
Executive priority
High priority for shared or multi-user Ubuntu environments because the issue can expose private data across local trust boundaries. Lower urgency for single-user systems with no untrusted local accounts, but still track remediation through normal patch management.
Technical view
CVE-2021-32552 affects apport/hookutils.py read_file(), which could follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. The cited description ties exposure to openjdk-16 package apport hooks. CVSS 3.1 is 7.3 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, high confidentiality impact, and low availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Ubuntu systems running the listed Canonical apport versions, especially where openjdk-16 apport hooks are present and multiple local users have shell or application access.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction. Business urgency rises for shared servers, developer workstations, jump boxes, or hosted environments where local user separation matters.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE description, CVSS vector, affected Canonical apport versions, and Launchpad reference. The source bundle does not provide exploit evidence, fixed versions, or detailed remediation. Avoid assuming impact beyond apport read_file() behavior and openjdk-16 apport hook usage.
Mitigation direction
- Check Canonical guidance for fixed apport packages or supported remediation.
- Prioritize affected systems with openjdk-16 apport hooks installed.
- Restrict untrusted local user access until remediation is confirmed.
- Update apport through supported Ubuntu package channels when a fixed package is available.
- Review whether affected Ubuntu releases remain supported in your environment.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed apport versions against the affected version list.
- Check whether openjdk-16 and its apport hooks are installed.
- Confirm package update status through supported Ubuntu package management records.
- Review local multi-user systems first, especially shared servers and developer machines.
- Document findings, remediation status, and any unsupported Ubuntu installations.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-59: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-61: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-32552 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L24.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following
UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.