USN-3802-1: X.Org X server vulnerability

Releases

• Ubuntu 18.10
• Ubuntu 18.04 ESM
• Ubuntu 16.04 ESM

Packages

• xorg-server - X.Org X11 server
• xorg-server-hwe-16.04 - X.Org X11 server

Details

Narendra Shinde discovered that the X.Org X server incorrectly handled
certain command line parameters when running as root with the legacy
wrapper. When certain graphics drivers are being used, a local attacker
could possibly use this issue to overwrite arbitrary files and escalate
privileges.

Update instructions

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu 18.10

• xserver-xorg-core - 2:1.20.1-3ubuntu2.1

Ubuntu 18.04

• xserver-xorg-core - 2:1.19.6-1ubuntu4.2

Ubuntu 16.04

• xserver-xorg-core-hwe-16.04 - 2:1.19.6-1ubuntu4.1~16.04.2

After a standard system update you need to reboot your computer to make
all the necessary changes.

References

• CVE-2018-14665