CVE-2015-1338: kernel_crashdump in Apport before 2.19 allows local users to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) or p

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-1338?

apport: upgrade to newer than 2.18.1; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-1338 being exploited?

CVE-2015-1338 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2015-1338 affect?

CVE-2015-1338 affects apport, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). kernel_crashdump in Apport before 2.19 allows local users to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) or possibly gain privileges via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on /var/crash/vmcore.log.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-1338?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.2WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2015-1338 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting apport, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

kernel_crashdump in Apport before 2.19 allows local users to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) or possibly gain privileges via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on /var/crash/vmcore.log.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2015-10-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Canonical Ltd. · Vendor: apport project · canonical

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2015-10-01 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:22 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apport project apport UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.18.1

Fixed in: newer than 2.18.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.18.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade apport

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade apport

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 15.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Apport 2.19 (Ubuntu 15.04) - Local Privilege Escalation

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-2015-1338?

apport: upgrade to newer than 2.18.1; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-1338 being exploited?

CVE-2015-1338 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-2015-1338 affect?

CVE-2015-1338 affects apport, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). kernel_crashdump in Apport before 2.19 allows local users to cause a denial of service (disk consumption) or possibly gain privileges via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on /var/crash/vmcore.log.

How urgent is CVE-2015-1338?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-5467 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE It was discovered that process_crash() in data/apport in Canonical's Apport crash reporting tool may create cr
CVE-2025-5054 MEDIUM 4.7 UPGRADE MITIGATE Race condition in Canonical apport up to and including 2.32.0 allows a local attacker to leak sensitive inform
CVE-2023-1326 HIGH 7.7 UPGRADE MITIGATE A privilege escalation attack was found in apport-cli 2.26.0 and earlier which is similar to CVE-2023-26604
CVE-2022-28653 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Users can consume unlimited disk space in /var/crash
CVE-2022-1242 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE Apport can be tricked into connecting to arbitrary sockets as the root user

References

← Back to latest CVEs