CVE-2020-27351: Various memory and file descriptor leaks in apt-python

Severity: low (CVSS 2.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2020-12-10 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-772

Description

Various memory and file descriptor leaks were found in apt-python files python/arfile.cc, python/tag.cc, python/tarfile.cc, aka GHSL-2020-170. This issue affects: python-apt 1.1.0~beta1 versions prior to 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.10; 1.6.5ubuntu0 versions prior to 1.6.5ubuntu0.4; 2.0.0ubuntu0 versions prior to 2.0.0ubuntu0.20.04.2; 2.1.3ubuntu1 versions prior to 2.1.3ubuntu1.1;

Affected products

Debian Advanced Package Tool: from 1.1.0\~beta1 before 1.1.0\~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.10; from 1.6.5ubuntu0 before 1.6.5ubuntu0.4; from 2.0.0ubuntu0 before 2.0.0ubuntu0.20.04.2; from 2.1.3ubuntu1 before 2.1.30ubuntu1.1; before 1.8.4.2 — fixed in 1.1.0\~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.10, 1.6.5ubuntu0.4, 1.8.4.2, 2.0.0ubuntu0.20.04.2, 2.1.30ubuntu1.1

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Debian Advanced Package Tool 1.1.0\~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.10, 1.6.5ubuntu0.4, 1.8.4.2, 2.0.0ubuntu0.20.04.2. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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