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CVE Record

CVE-2021-32556: apport get_modified_conffiles() function command injection

It was discovered that the get_modified_conffiles() function in backends/packaging-apt-dpkg.py allowed injecting modified package names in a manner that would confuse the dpkg(1) call.

LowCVSS 3.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-32556 is a low-severity command injection issue in Canonical apport. A local, low-privileged user could manipulate package-name handling in a way that confused a dpkg call. The public data indicates limited confidentiality impact and no integrity or availability impact.

Executive priority

Routine remediation priority. This is not shown as actively exploited and is local-only, but shared Ubuntu systems should be checked because command injection bugs can become more important in multi-user environments.

Technical view

The issue is in get_modified_conffiles() in backends/packaging-apt-dpkg.py. The function allowed modified package names to affect how dpkg(1) was invoked. CVSS 3.1 is 3.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and low confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Ubuntu environments running affected Canonical apport versions listed in the CVE data. Sources do not indicate remote unauthenticated exposure. Systems with shared local user access have higher practical relevance than locked-down single-user systems.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The attack model requires local low-privileged access. Public sources provided do not include exploit details, weaponization status, or confirmed exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

Classified as CWE-78. The notable details are local attack vector, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and confidentiality-only impact. The provided sources do not name exploit maturity, fixed versions, or additional affected products beyond Canonical apport.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Canonical and Ubuntu guidance for fixed apport packages.
  • Update apport through the supported distribution package channel when fixes are available.
  • Prioritize shared systems where untrusted local users have shell access.
  • Track this as patch hygiene unless vendor guidance raises urgency.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Ubuntu systems running Canonical apport.
  • Compare installed apport versions with the affected versions in the CVE record.
  • Review the referenced Launchpad bug and CVE record for vendor status.
  • Confirm whether local untrusted users can access affected systems.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

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.

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 · medium confidence lookup

CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup

Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. 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.

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-32556 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Low
CVSS
3.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
3.8CVSS 3.1LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N21.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

3.8Low
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-32556Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Canonicalapport2.20.1, 2.20.9, 2.20.11-0ubuntu27, 2.20.11-0ubuntu50, 2.20.11-0ubuntu65, 2.14.1-0ubuntu3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-78

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