How severe is CVE-2021-32552?

CVE-2021-32552 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability low.

Is CVE-2021-32552 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-32552?

CVE-2021-32552 primarily affects Canonical Ubuntu Linux. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-32552?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-32552 published?

CVE-2021-32552 was published on 2021-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-32552

CVE-2021-32552 is a high-severity vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (21st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Canonical Ubuntu Linux
Published: 2021-06-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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-16 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-32552?: 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-16 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.
How severe is CVE-2021-32552?: CVE-2021-32552 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability low.
Is CVE-2021-32552 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-32552?: CVE-2021-32552 primarily affects Canonical Ubuntu Linux. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-32552?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-32552 published?: CVE-2021-32552 was published on 2021-06-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:21.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:21.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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