CVE-2013-1051: apt 0.8.16, 0.9.7, and possibly other versions does not properly handle InRelease files, which allows man-in-t

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2013-1051 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting advanced package tool, apt, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

apt 0.8.16, 0.9.7, and possibly other versions does not properly handle InRelease files, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to modify packages before installation via unknown vectors, possibly related to integrity checking and the use of third-party repositories.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2013-03-21
Last modified	2026-06-16

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-03-21 17:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:50 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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 11.10 · 12.04 · 12.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.10

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2013-1051?

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

Is CVE-2013-1051 being exploited?

CVE-2013-1051 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-2013-1051 affect?

CVE-2013-1051 affects advanced package tool, apt, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). apt 0.8.16, 0.9.7, and possibly other versions does not properly handle InRelease files, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to modify packages before installation via unknown vectors, possibly related to integrity checking and the use

How urgent is CVE-2013-1051?

Priority 38/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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