USN-5252-1: PolicyKit vulnerability

Publication date

25 January 2022

Overview

policykit-1 could be made to run programs as an administrator.


Packages

  • policykit-1 - framework for managing administrative policies and privileges

Details

It was discovered that the PolicyKit pkexec tool incorrectly handled
command-line arguments. A local attacker could use this issue to escalate
privileges to an administrator.

It was discovered that the PolicyKit pkexec tool incorrectly handled
command-line arguments. A local attacker could use this issue to escalate
privileges to an administrator.

Update instructions

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

Learn more about how to get the fixes.

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

Ubuntu Release Package Version
21.10 impish policykit-1 –  0.105-31ubuntu0.1
20.04 focal policykit-1 –  0.105-26ubuntu1.2
18.04 bionic policykit-1 –  0.105-20ubuntu0.18.04.6

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