UBUNTU-CVE-2021-35938

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Source
https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2021-35938
Import Source
https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2021/UBUNTU-CVE-2021-35938.json
JSON Data
https://api.osv.dev/v1/vulns/UBUNTU-CVE-2021-35938
Upstream
Published
2022-08-25T20:15:00Z
Modified
2025-10-24T04:50:26Z
Severity
  • 6.7 (Medium) CVSS_V3 - CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H CVSS Calculator
  • Ubuntu - medium
Summary
[none]
Details

A symbolic link issue was found in rpm. It occurs when rpm sets the desired permissions and credentials after installing a file. A local unprivileged user could use this flaw to exchange the original file with a symbolic link to a security-critical file and escalate their privileges on the system. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

References

Affected packages

Ubuntu:22.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1?arch=source&distro=jammy

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.16.1.2+dfsg1-3ubuntu1
4.16.1.2+dfsg1-3ubuntu3
4.17.0+dfsg1-1
4.17.0+dfsg1-3
4.17.0+dfsg1-4
4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "librpm9"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild9"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio9"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign9"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.17.0+dfsg1-4build1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:24.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2?arch=source&distro=noble

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.18.0+dfsg-1build1
4.18.0+dfsg-1build2
4.18.2+dfsg-1
4.18.2+dfsg-2
4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build1
4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "librpm9t64"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild9t64"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "librpmio9t64"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign9t64"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.18.2+dfsg-2.1build2",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:25.04

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.20.1+dfsg-1?arch=source&distro=plucky

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.19.1.1+dfsg-1
4.20.0+dfsg-3
4.20.0+dfsg-3build1
4.20.0+dfsg-4
4.20.1+dfsg-1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "librpm10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:25.10

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.20.1+dfsg-3?arch=source&distro=questing

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.20.1+dfsg-1
4.20.1+dfsg-2
4.20.1+dfsg-2build1
4.20.1+dfsg-3

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "librpm10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "librpmio10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign10"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.20.1+dfsg-3",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1?arch=source&distro=trusty/esm

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.11.1-2
4.11.1-3
4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1
4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "debugedit"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign1"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "python-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.11.1-3ubuntu0.1+esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/xenial

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3build2
4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3build3
4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "debugedit"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign3"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.12.0.1+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/bionic

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.12.0.2+dfsg1-2build2
4.14.0+dfsg1-2
4.14.1+dfsg1-2
4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "debugedit"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.1+dfsg1-2ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}

Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS

rpm

Package

Name
rpm
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/rpm@4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focal

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected

Affected versions

4.*

4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1
4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1build1
4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1build2
4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "debugedit"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm-dev"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpm8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmbuild8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmio8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "librpmsign8"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "python3-rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-common"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm-i18n"
        },
        {
            "binary_version": "4.14.2.1+dfsg1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1",
            "binary_name": "rpm2cpio"
        }
    ]
}