# CVE-2021-32550: apport: It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs

CVE-2021-32550 is fixed in 11 products on 1 platform, first by apport 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24, released May 24, 2021. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2021-32550
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a (Medium)
- EPSS: 0.0029
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: May 24, 2021

## Description

It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the openjdk-14 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | apport Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-gtk Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport-gtk 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-gtk-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-gtk Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport-gtk 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-gtk-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-kde Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport-kde 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-kde-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-kde Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport-kde 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-kde-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-noui Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport-noui 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-noui-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-noui Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport-noui 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-noui-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-retrace Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport-retrace 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-retrace-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-retrace Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport-retrace 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-retrace-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-valgrind Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [apport-valgrind 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-apport-valgrind-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | apport-valgrind Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [apport-valgrind 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-apport-valgrind-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | dh-apport Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [dh-apport 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-dh-apport-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | dh-apport Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [dh-apport 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-dh-apport-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python-apport Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [python-apport 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-python-apport-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python-problem-report Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [python-problem-report 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-python-problem-report-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python3-apport Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [python3-apport 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-python3-apport-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python3-apport Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [python3-apport 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-python3-apport-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python3-problem-report Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24 | [python3-problem-report 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-python3-problem-report-2.20.9-0ubuntu7.24.md) | May 24, 2021 |
| Linux | python3-problem-report Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18 | [python3-problem-report 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-python3-problem-report-2.20.11-0ubuntu27.18.md) | May 24, 2021 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-07T18:46:35Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.
