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.
| Product | Vendor Advisory | Solution File | Added | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debian | — | No solution exists | May 15, 2025 | May 15, 2025 |
| Gentoo Linux | — | Upgrade gnome-extra/nm-applet. | Oct 30, 2017 | Mar 9, 2017 |
| Suse | — | Upgrade libnm-gtk-develUpgrade NetworkManager-connection-editorUpgrade typelib-1_0-NMGtk-1_0Upgrade NetworkManager-appletUpgrade libnm-gtk0Upgrade nma-dataUpgrade typelib-1_0-NMA-1_0Upgrade libnma0Upgrade NetworkManager-applet-langUpgrade libnma-devel | May 20, 2018 | Mar 9, 2017 |
| Ubuntu | — | Upgrade network-manager-applet | Nov 19, 2024 | Mar 9, 2017 |
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