CVE-2019-11481: Kevin Backhouse discovered that apport would read a user-supplied configuration file with elevated privileges

Routine

LOW 3.8WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-11481 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.8) affecting ubuntu linux, apport. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Kevin Backhouse discovered that apport would read a user-supplied configuration file with elevated privileges. By replacing the file with a symbolic link, a user could get apport to read any file on the system as root, with unknown consequences.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.8 (Low)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2020-02-08
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

2020-02-08 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04 · 19.04 · 19.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

apport project apport MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2019-11481?

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

Is CVE-2019-11481 being exploited?

CVE-2019-11481 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-2019-11481 affect?

CVE-2019-11481 affects ubuntu linux, apport. Severity is low (CVSS 3.8). Kevin Backhouse discovered that apport would read a user-supplied configuration file with elevated privileges. By replacing the file with a symbolic link, a user could get apport to read any file on the system as root, with unknown conseque

How urgent is CVE-2019-11481?

Priority 28/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

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References

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