USN-4247-2: python-apt regression

Releases

• Ubuntu 19.10
• Ubuntu 19.04
• Ubuntu 18.04 ESM
• Ubuntu 16.04 ESM

Packages

• python-apt - Python interface to libapt-pkg

Details

USN-4247-1 fixed vulnerabilities in python-apt. The updated packages caused
a regression when attempting to upgrade to a new Ubuntu release. This
update fixes the problem.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Original advisory details:

It was discovered that python-apt would still use MD5 hashes to validate
certain downloaded packages. If a remote attacker were able to perform a
machine-in-the-middle attack, this flaw could potentially be used to install
altered packages. (CVE-2019-15795)

It was discovered that python-apt could install packages from untrusted
repositories, contrary to expectations. (CVE-2019-15796)

Update instructions

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu 19.10

• python-apt - 1.9.0ubuntu1.3
• python3-apt - 1.9.0ubuntu1.3

Ubuntu 19.04

• python-apt - 1.8.5~ubuntu0.3
• python3-apt - 1.8.5~ubuntu0.3

Ubuntu 18.04

• python-apt - 1.6.5ubuntu0.2
• python3-apt - 1.6.5ubuntu0.2

Ubuntu 16.04

• python-apt - 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.8
• python3-apt - 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.8

In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.

References

• https://launchpad.net/bugs/1860606