CVE-2012-0961: Apt 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.x before 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.6, 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.x before 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.7,

Routine

LOW 2.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-0961 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.1) affecting advanced package tool, apt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Apt 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.x before 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.6, 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.x before 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.7, and 0.9.7.5ubuntu5.x before 0.9.7.5ubuntu5.2, as used in Ubuntu, uses world-readable permissions for /var/log/apt/term.log, which allows local users to obtain sensitive shell information by reading the log file.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.1 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2012-12-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Canonical Ltd. · Vendor: debian

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-12-26 22:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:38 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian advanced package tool DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.8.16

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.8.16

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy advanced-package-tool || rpm -q advanced-package-tool || advanced-package-tool --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.8.16 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison advanced-package-tool sudo apt install advanced-package-tool=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8.16> sudo apt-mark hold advanced-package-tool

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list advanced-package-tool sudo dnf downgrade advanced-package-tool-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8.16> sudo dnf versionlock add advanced-package-tool

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian apt DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.9.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.9.7

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy apt || rpm -q apt || apt --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.9.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison apt sudo apt install apt=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.7> sudo apt-mark hold apt

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list apt sudo dnf downgrade apt-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.9.7> sudo dnf versionlock add apt

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2012-0961?

advanced package tool: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; apt: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-0961 being exploited?

CVE-2012-0961 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2012-0961 affect?

CVE-2012-0961 affects advanced package tool, apt. Severity is low (CVSS 2.1). Apt 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.x before 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13.6, 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.x before 0.8.16~exp12ubuntu10.7, and 0.9.7.5ubuntu5.x before 0.9.7.5ubuntu5.2, as used in Ubuntu, uses world-readable permissions for /var/log/apt/term.log, which

How urgent is CVE-2012-0961?

Priority 20/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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