Cifs-Utils Update for Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04 LTS
On August 7, 2025, Ubuntu released an important security update for the cifs-utils package, addressing four significant vulnerabilities in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and 16.04 LTS. The cifs-utils package provides utilities for the Common Internet File System, and these vulnerabilities could potentially allow local attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive information.
Summary of Vulnerabilities:
1. CVE-2020-14342: A flaw where cifs-utils invoked a shell when requesting a password, which could be exploited by a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.
2. CVE-2021-20208: An issue where cifs-utils improperly used host credentials while mounting a krb5 CIFS file system from within a container, risking sensitive information exposure to an attacker inside the container.
3. CVE-2022-27239: A vulnerability related to improper handling of command-line arguments, potentially allowing a local attacker to obtain root privileges.
4. CVE-2022-29869: A flaw in how verbose logging was managed, which could lead to the leakage of sensitive information to local attackers.
Update Instructions:
To rectify these vulnerabilities, users are advised to update their systems to the following package versions:
- For Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: cifs-utils version 2:6.4-1ubuntu1.1+esm1, available through Ubuntu Pro.
- For Ubuntu 14.04 LTS: cifs-utils version 2:6.0-1ubuntu2+esm1, also available via Ubuntu Pro.
A standard system update should effectively implement these changes.
For More Information:
For detailed information, users can refer to the Ubuntu Security Notice USN-7688-1 and access links to the CVE references provided.
Extension:
Given the critical nature of these vulnerabilities, it's imperative for users to perform the updates promptly to safeguard their systems from potential exploits. Additionally, users should regularly review security notices from Ubuntu and apply updates as they become available to maintain system integrity. Consideration should also be given to implementing proactive security measures, such as using firewalls, monitoring for unusual activities, and regularly backing up important data to mitigate the impact of potential security breaches
On August 7, 2025, Ubuntu released an important security update for the cifs-utils package, addressing four significant vulnerabilities in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and 16.04 LTS. The cifs-utils package provides utilities for the Common Internet File System, and these vulnerabilities could potentially allow local attackers to escalate their privileges or access sensitive information.
Summary of Vulnerabilities:
1. CVE-2020-14342: A flaw where cifs-utils invoked a shell when requesting a password, which could be exploited by a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.
2. CVE-2021-20208: An issue where cifs-utils improperly used host credentials while mounting a krb5 CIFS file system from within a container, risking sensitive information exposure to an attacker inside the container.
3. CVE-2022-27239: A vulnerability related to improper handling of command-line arguments, potentially allowing a local attacker to obtain root privileges.
4. CVE-2022-29869: A flaw in how verbose logging was managed, which could lead to the leakage of sensitive information to local attackers.
Update Instructions:
To rectify these vulnerabilities, users are advised to update their systems to the following package versions:
- For Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: cifs-utils version 2:6.4-1ubuntu1.1+esm1, available through Ubuntu Pro.
- For Ubuntu 14.04 LTS: cifs-utils version 2:6.0-1ubuntu2+esm1, also available via Ubuntu Pro.
A standard system update should effectively implement these changes.
For More Information:
For detailed information, users can refer to the Ubuntu Security Notice USN-7688-1 and access links to the CVE references provided.
Extension:
Given the critical nature of these vulnerabilities, it's imperative for users to perform the updates promptly to safeguard their systems from potential exploits. Additionally, users should regularly review security notices from Ubuntu and apply updates as they become available to maintain system integrity. Consideration should also be given to implementing proactive security measures, such as using firewalls, monitoring for unusual activities, and regularly backing up important data to mitigate the impact of potential security breaches
Cifs-Utils update for Ubuntu 14.04 16.04 LTS
New Cifs-Utils packages have been made available for Ubuntu Linux 14.04 LTS and 16.04 LTS to resolve four security vulnerabilities:
[USN-7688-1] cifs-utils vulnerabilitiesCifs-Utils update for Ubuntu 14.04 16.04 LTS @ Linux Compatible