CVE-2019-15795: python-apt uses MD5 for validation

Published Mar 26, 2020
·
Updated

Last updated 25 August 2025

Other sources

python-apt only checks the MD5 sums of downloaded files in Version.fetchbinary() and Version.fetchsource() of apt/package.py in version 1.9.0ubuntu1 and earlier. This allows a man-in-the-middle attack which could potentially be used to install altered packages and has been fixed in versions 1.9.0ubuntu1.2, 1.6.5ubuntu0.1, 1.1.0~beta1ubuntu0.16.04.7, 0.9.3.5ubuntu3+esm2, and 0.8.3ubuntu7.5.

Affected Software

153 affected componentsFixes available
pip/python-apt<=0.7.8
pip/python-apt>=1.7.0<1.9.0ubuntu1.2
1.9.0ubuntu1.2
pip/python-apt>=1.2.0<1.6.5ubuntu0.1
1.6.5ubuntu0.1
pip/python-apt>=1.0.0<1.1.0
1.1.0
pip/python-apt>=0.9.0<0.9.3.5ubuntu3
0.9.3.5ubuntu3
pip/python-apt<0.8.3ubuntu7.5
0.8.3ubuntu7.5
All of the following
Any of the following
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.0-ubuntu9
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu3
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu4
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu5
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu6
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.3
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=12.04
All of the following
Any of the following
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.9.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.9.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-build2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.4-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu3
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
All of the following
Any of the following
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.5
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
All of the following
Any of the following
Debian Python-apt=1.8.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0-beta3build2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0-beta3ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc2ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc2ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.4
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
All of the following
Any of the following
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-alpha0\~ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-alpha0\~ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-ubuntu1
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=19.10
All of the following
Any of the following
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.7.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0-alpha0\~ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0-alpha0\~ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.4
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=19.04
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.0-ubuntu9
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu3
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu4
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu5
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu6
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.3-ubuntu7.3
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=12.04
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.9.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.8.9.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-build2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.2-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.4-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=0.9.3.5-ubuntu3
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.0.1-ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1build1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.1.0-beta1ubuntu0.16.04.5
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Debian Python-apt=1.8.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0-beta3build2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.4.0-beta3ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc2ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc2ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.0-rc3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.3
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.3-ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.6.4
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.4
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-alpha0\~ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-alpha0\~ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.9.0-ubuntu1
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=19.10
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.7.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0-alpha0\~ubuntu1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.0-alpha0\~ubuntu2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.1
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.2
Ubuntu Python-apt=1.8.3
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=19.04
debian/python-apt
2.2.12.2.1.12.6.03.0.03.1.0

Remediation

Event History

Mar 26, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:00 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
May 24, 2022
Advisory Published
05:12 PM
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:20 PM
Description
Feb 20, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·11:42 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Debian·11:43 PM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2019-15795?

CVE-2019-15795 has a medium severity rating, allowing for potential man-in-the-middle attacks.

2

How do I fix CVE-2019-15795?

The vulnerability can be addressed by upgrading to a patched version of python-apt, specifically version 1.9.0ubuntu1.2 or later.

3

What versions of python-apt are affected by CVE-2019-15795?

CVE-2019-15795 affects python-apt versions 1.9.0ubuntu1 and earlier.

4

Is my system vulnerable to CVE-2019-15795?

Check if you are running python-apt version 1.9.0ubuntu1 or earlier on your system to determine vulnerability.

5

What is the impact of CVE-2019-15795 on my system?

The vulnerability could allow attackers to install altered packages via unauthorized changes to the file download process.

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