Isar lets unprivileged users alter trusted apt GPG keys
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
In Isar versions >= 0.11, <= 1.1, /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d is created manually during bootstrap, so the calling user owns it instead of root (CWE-1290). An unprivileged image user whose user ID matches the calling user can alter existing trusted GPG keys and add new ones, breaking apt repository integrity protection. The attacker must also manipulate a remote repository or intercept insecure communication with it. Images with an immutable rootfs or that never invoke apt are not affected.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Description from the CNA
Isar is an integration system for automated root filesystem generation. In versions 0.11 and newer, /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d is created manually during bootstrap setup to be able to deploy local keys. By that, the directory is owned by the calling user (the one that executes Isar) instead of root. If the calling user's id is identical to one of an unprivileged user inside the image, this user is able to alter existing keys and deploy new ones, silently breaking the apt repo integrity protection. The issue is has no impact on those images that use an immutable rootfs, or if apt is never invoked. Changing only the keys does not trigger an exploit, it's just one step in a chain. An attacker would also have to manipulate a remote repo or intercept non-secure communication with it. This issue has been patched via commit 29e84ed.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for Isar. The source description says the issue is patched via commit 29e84ed.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28
Timeline
- 2026-10-23 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-55222
- 2026-10-23 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
More ilbers vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-40253 Security Snapshot May Use Unintended Timestamp When Only ISAR_APT_SNAPSHOT_DATE Is Set CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences