An issue was discovered in network-manager-applet (aka network-manager-gnome) in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 14.04 LTS, 16.04 LTS, and 16.10. A local attacker could use this issue at the default Ubuntu login screen to access local files and execute arbitrary commands as the lightdm user. The exploitation requires physical access to the locked computer and the Wi-Fi must be turned on. An access point that lets you use a certificate to login is required as well, but it's easy to create one. Then, it's possible to open a nautilus window and browse directories. One also can open some applications such as Firefox, which is useful for downloading malicious binaries.
The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check.
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-3217-1/ | patch vendor advisory |
| https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201707-09 | vendor advisory |
| https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager-applet/+bug/1668321 | issue tracking patch |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2lwRVg0l0 | third party advisory exploit |
| http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037977 | vdb entry |