CVE-2016-1252

Name: CVE-2016-1252
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-12-05T16:29:00.203+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.9/10EPSS 7.25%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-1252 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.9/10 on the CVSS scale. The apt package in Debian jessie before 1.0.9.8.4, in Debian unstable before 1.4~beta2, in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS before 1.0.1ubuntu2.17, in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS before 1.2.15ubuntu0.2, and in Ubuntu 16.10 before 1.3.2ubuntu0.1 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to bypass a repository-signing protection mechanism by leveraging improper error handling when validating InRelease file signatures.. EPSS estimates a 7.25% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The apt package in Debian jessie before 1.0.9.8.4, in Debian unstable before 1.4~beta2, in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS before 1.0.1ubuntu2.17, in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS before 1.2.15ubuntu0.2, and in Ubuntu 16.10 before 1.3.2ubuntu0.1 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to bypass a repository-signing protection mechanism by leveraging improper error handling when validating InRelease file signatures.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

EPSS Probability

7.25%

93.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-295

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Debian	Advanced Package Tool	< 1.0.9.8.4
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.10

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140145/apt-Repository-Signing-Bypass.htmlIssue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3156-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1020Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/1647467Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3733Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40916/Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140145/apt-Repository-Signing-Bypass.htmlIssue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3156-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1020Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/1647467Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3733Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40916/Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Dec 5, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-1252?

How severe is CVE-2016-1252?

CVE-2016-1252 has a CVSS score of 5.9/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 7.25% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-1252?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-1252?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST