Critical severity · published Jul 16, 2026
CVE-2026-11386
ubuntu-pro-client Input Validation Vulnerability Leading to Arbitrary APT Directive Injection and Remote Code Execution
9.0
CVSS
0.5%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
An input validation and injection vulnerability exists in Canonical ubuntu-pro-client (formerly ubuntu-advantage-tools). The client constructs APT source files (such as /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-.list or their DEB822 equivalents) using data received directly from the contract server response via the directives.suites[] and directives.aptURL fields. Because the client utilizes Python's str.format() to write these files without performing escaping, validation, or newline character filtering, a malicious or tampered contract response containing embedded newline (\n) characters can successfully inject arbitrary, attacker-controlled deb configuration lines into root-owned APT sources. When combined with the unvalidated additionalPackages[] field—which is passed positionally into a root-executed apt-get install command—an attacker capable of spoofing or manipulating the contract response (e.g., via a compromised internal infrastructure, an intercepted connection utilizing a trusted CA, or local logical bugs) can force the client to fetch and install malicious packages. This ultimately leads to arbitrary code execution with root privileges on the affected system. This component is preinstalled on supported Ubuntu Server releases and auto-attaches by default on cloud provider Ubuntu Pro images.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.5% · higher than 44% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
U1
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U1
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U1
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
U2
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS · Canonical
All versions, or not specified · source: vendor
Affected product
U1
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
Canonical
More from Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
5.5
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