UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651

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Source
https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-41651
Import Source
https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json
JSON Data
https://api.osv.dev/v1/vulns/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651
Upstream
Downstream
Related
Published
2026-04-23T00:00:00Z
Modified
2026-06-30T18:18:04Z
Severity
  • 8.8 (High) CVSS_V3 - CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H CVSS Calculator
  • 8.8 (High) CVSS_V3 - CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H CVSS Calculator
  • Ubuntu - high
Summary
[none]
Details

PackageKit is a a D-Bus abstraction layer that allows the user to manage packages in a secure way using a cross-distro, cross-architecture API. PackageKit between and including versions 1.0.2 and 1.3.4 is vulnerable to a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition on transaction flags that allows unprivileged users to install packages as root and thus leads to a local privilege escalation. This is patched in version 1.3.5. A local unprivileged user can install arbitrary RPM packages as root, including executing RPM scriptlets, without authentication. The vulnerability is a TOCTOU race condition on transaction->cached_transaction_flags combined with a silent state-machine guard that discards illegal backward transitions while leaving corrupted flags in place. Three bugs exist in src/pk-transaction.c: 1. Unconditional flag overwrite (line 4036): InstallFiles() writes caller-supplied flags to transaction->cached_transaction_flags without checking whether the transaction has already been authorized/started. A second call blindly overwrites the flags even while the transaction is RUNNING. 2. Silent state-transition rejection (lines 873–882): pk_transaction_set_state() silently discards backward state transitions (e.g. RUNNING → WAITING_FOR_AUTH) but the flag overwrite at step 1 already happened. The transaction continues running with corrupted flags. 3. Late flag read at execution time (lines 2273–2277): The scheduler's idle callback reads cached_transaction_flags at dispatch time, not at authorization time. If flags were overwritten between authorization and execution, the backend sees the attacker's flags.

References

Affected packages

Ubuntu:22.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=jammy

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1

Affected versions

1.*
1.2.2-2ubuntu3
1.2.4-1ubuntu1
1.2.4-1ubuntu2
1.2.5-1ubuntu1
1.2.5-2ubuntu1
1.2.5-2ubuntu2
1.2.5-2ubuntu3

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "No subscription required",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "1.2.5-2ubuntu3.1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=noble

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5

Affected versions

1.*
1.2.7-1
1.2.8-1
1.2.8-1build1
1.2.8-2
1.2.8-2build2
1.2.8-2build3
1.2.8-2ubuntu1
1.2.8-2ubuntu1.1
1.2.8-2ubuntu1.2
1.2.8-2ubuntu1.4

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "No subscription required",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "1.2.8-2ubuntu1.5"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:25.10
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=questing

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1

Affected versions

1.*
1.3.0-3build1
1.3.1-1
1.3.1-1ubuntu1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "No subscription required",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "1.3.1-1ubuntu1.1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:26.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=resolute

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.3.4-3ubuntu1

Affected versions

1.*
1.3.1-1
1.3.2-1
1.3.3-1
1.3.4-1
1.3.4-3

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "No subscription required",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.3.4-3ubuntu1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=esm-infra%2Fxenial

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1

Affected versions

0.*
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.3
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.1
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.2
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.3
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.4
0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro (Infra-only): https://ubuntu.com/pro",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-16",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-backend-aptcc",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-backend-smart",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "python3-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5+esm1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=esm-infra%2Fbionic

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1

Affected versions

1.*
1.1.7-1
1.1.9-1
1.1.9-1ubuntu1
1.1.9-1ubuntu2
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.1
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.3
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.4
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.5
1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro (Infra-only): https://ubuntu.com/pro",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6+esm1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS
packagekit

Package

Name
packagekit
Purl
pkg:deb/ubuntu/packagekit?arch=source&distro=esm-infra%2Ffocal

Affected ranges

Type
ECOSYSTEM
Events
Introduced
0 Unknown introduced version / All previous versions are affected
Fixed
1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1

Affected versions

1.*
1.1.12-5ubuntu4
1.1.13-1
1.1.13-2
1.1.13-2build1
1.1.13-2ubuntu1
1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1

Ecosystem specific 

{
    "availability": "Available with Ubuntu Pro (Infra-only): https://ubuntu.com/pro",
    "binaries": [
        {
            "binary_name": "gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "gstreamer1.0-packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "libpackagekit-glib2-18",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-command-not-found",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-docs",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-gtk3-module",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        },
        {
            "binary_name": "packagekit-tools",
            "binary_version": "1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1+esm1"
        }
    ],
    "priority_reason": "Local privilege escalation to the root user."
}

Database specific

source 
"https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/cve/2026/UBUNTU-CVE-2026-41651.json"