---
title: "CVE-2015-5700\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-5700?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2015-5700

Publication date 25 August 2017

Last updated 22 May 2026

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**6.1 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-5700?format=md#impact-score)

Toggle side navigation

## Description

mktexlsr revision 22855 through revision 36625 as packaged in texlive
allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2015-5700?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| texlive-bin | 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 17.10 artful | Not affected |
| 17.04 zesty | Not affected |
| 16.10 yakkety | Not affected |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not affected |
| 15.10 wily | Not affected |
| 15.04 vivid | Not affected |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 2013.20130729.30972-2ubuntu0.1 |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Not affected |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [seth-arnold](https://launchpad.net/~seth-arnold)

See also CVE-2015-5701

---

### [mdeslaur](https://launchpad.net/~mdeslaur)

introduced by:
https://www.tug.org/svn/texlive/trunk/Build/source/texk/kpathsea/mktexlsr?r1=19613&r2=22885

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

6.1 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | Low |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | Low |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 6.1 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2015-5700)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-5700)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2015-5700)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2015-5700)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-3788-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3788-1)
+ Tex Live vulnerabilities
+ 11 October 2018

### Other references

* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/23/22>
* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/07/28/5>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-5700>