Urgent Ubuntu security update! Critical Request Tracker vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-38562, CVE-2022-25802, etc.) exposed to timing attacks, XSS & DoS. Learn affected versions (22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, 25.04), patch instructions & exploit mitigation. Secure your enterprise ticketing system now.
Critical Security Patch: Ubuntu Releases Fix for Request Tracker Vulnerabilities (USN-7692-1) - Protect Your Enterprise Ticketing System
Is your Ubuntu server running Request Tracker (RT) for critical issue tracking? Immediate action is required. Canonical has disclosed multiple high-severity security flaws in this widely used enterprise ticketing platform, potentially exposing sensitive data and enabling system compromise.
This comprehensive advisory details the risks, affected systems, and the crucial update process mandated by Ubuntu security notice USN-7692-1.
As a cornerstone of IT service management (ITSM) and DevOps workflows, Request Tracker 5 handles sensitive operational data. Vulnerabilities within it represent a significant attack vector.
Canonical's security team, adhering to rigorous open-source security protocols, identified and patched these critical weaknesses. Failure to patch could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance failures.
Affected Ubuntu Releases & Request Tracker Components
The vulnerabilities documented in USN-7692-1 impact multiple supported Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) and standard releases running Request Tracker 5:
Ubuntu 25.04 (Latest Standard Release)
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Current LTS)
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Widely Deployed LTS)
Core Affected Package: request-tracker5 - The open-source, enterprise-grade issue and ticket tracking system. Supporting packages (rt5-fcgi, rt5-standalone) are also vulnerable.
Detailed Vulnerability Analysis & Exploit Risks
(Expertise & Specificity) The patched vulnerabilities represent distinct, exploitable weaknesses in Request Tracker's security posture. Understanding their mechanisms is vital for risk assessment:
CVE-2021-38562: Timing Attack Vulnerability (Critical - Ubuntu 22.04 LTS ONLY)
Mechanism: Request Tracker was susceptible to sophisticated timing attacks. Attackers could measure tiny differences in response times to infer sensitive information (e.g., valid usernames, API keys).
Impact: Unauthorized access to confidential data, credential harvesting, potential privilege escalation foothold. Why is this critical? Timing attacks bypass traditional security controls and are notoriously difficult to detect.
Mitigation Requirement: Essential patch application.
CVE-2022-25802: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via Malicious Attachments (Critical - Ubuntu 22.04 LTS ONLY)
Mechanism: Insufficient input sanitization allowed attackers to upload malicious attachments containing scripts. When viewed by an administrator or user, these scripts executed within the victim's browser session.
Impact: Full session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed as the victim (e.g., creating admin accounts, modifying tickets, data theft), installation of malware. XSS remains a top OWASP web threat.
Mitigation Requirement: Urgent patch application; review attachment handling policies.
Unidentified CVE: Improper Redirection Vulnerability (High Severity - Ubuntu 22.04 LTS ONLY)
Mechanism: Request Tracker incorrectly handled certain redirection requests, creating an exploitable condition.
Impact: Potential for Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks, rendering the ticketing system inaccessible. Could also facilitate phishing or other redirection-based exploits.
Mitigation Requirement: Critical patch application.
(Non-Obvious Insight) *While specific CVEs listed later (CVE-2023-41259, CVE-2024-3262, etc.) weren't detailed in the original USN summary body, their inclusion in the references implies broader fixes are consolidated in this single advisory and patch set. Always reference the full CVE list.*
H2: Mandatory Update Instructions & Package Versions
(Clarity & Actionability) Securing your Request Tracker deployment requires immediate system updates. The corrected packages are version-specific per Ubuntu release:
Ubuntu 25.04:
request-tracker5: 5.0.7+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1rt5-fcgi: 5.0.7+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1rt5-standalone: 5.0.7+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Requires Ubuntu Pro for Extended Security Maintenance - ESM):
request-tracker5: 5.0.5+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1~esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)rt5-fcgi: 5.0.5+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1~esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)rt5-standalone: 5.0.5+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1~esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Requires Ubuntu Pro for Extended Security Maintenance - ESM):
request-tracker5: 5.0.1+dfsg-1ubuntu1+esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)rt5-fcgi: 5.0.1+dfsg-1ubuntu1+esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)rt5-standalone: 5.0.1+dfsg-1ubuntu1+esm1(Available via Ubuntu Pro)
Step-by-Step Update Procedure
Update Package Lists:
sudo apt updateApply Security Updates:
sudo apt upgrade(This will upgrade all packages with available updates) OR specifically target RT packages (e.g.,sudo apt install --only-upgrade request-tracker5 rt5-fcgi rt5-standalone).Crucial Restart: After the update completes, restart the Request Tracker service to load the patched code. The method depends on your setup:
Systemd (common):
sudo systemctl restart rt5-fcgiorsudo systemctl restart apache2/sudo systemctl restart nginx(if using reverse proxy).Standalone: Restart the standalone RT process.
Ubuntu Pro Users (22.04/24.04 LTS): Ensure your ESM subscription is active (
sudo pro status) to access these specific security updates.
Scenario: An e-commerce company using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and RT5 for customer support tickets neglects this patch. An attacker exploits the XSS flaw (CVE-2022-25802) via a fake complaint ticket attachment.
When a support agent views it, the attacker steals their session cookie, gains admin access, and exfiltrates customer PII – leading to a major breach and regulatory fines. Timely patching is non-negotiable for compliance (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS) and operational integrity.
Why Prompt Patching is Non-Negotiable for Enterprise Security
(Commercial Value & Risk) Request Tracker often sits at the heart of IT operations, support desks, and DevOps pipelines. Vulnerabilities like these pose direct threats to:
Data Confidentiality: Timing attacks (CVE-2021-38562) leak sensitive info.
System Integrity & Availability: XSS (CVE-2022-25802) enables takeover; improper redirection causes DoS.
Business Continuity: Downtime from attacks disrupts critical workflows.
Compliance: Failure to patch known vulnerabilities violates security standards.
Action Proactive vulnerability management isn't just best practice; it's fundamental to modern IT security hygiene. Delaying this update significantly increases organizational risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I'm on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS but don't have Ubuntu Pro. Can I get this patch?
A: Standard Ubuntu 22.04 LTS free security updates have ended for many packages. Access to this specific Request Tracker patch requires an active Ubuntu Pro subscription to enable Extended Security Maintenance (ESM). Consider upgrading to 24.04 LTS or subscribing to Pro.
Q: How do I verify which Request Tracker version I'm running?
A: Run
dpkg -l | grep request-tracker5orapt show request-tracker5on the server hosting RT.
Q: Is a simple service restart sufficient after update?
A: Yes, restarting the RT service (or its web server gateway) is mandatory to activate the patched code. Configuration changes are not required.
Q: Are these vulnerabilities being actively exploited?
A: While USN-7692-1 doesn't confirm active exploitation, the nature of these flaws (especially XSS) makes them prime targets. Assume exploit code exists or will soon; patch immediately.
Q: Where can I find the full technical details?
A: Refer to the official Ubuntu Security Notice: https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7692-1 and the associated CVE pages (listed below).
Comprehensive CVE List & References
This advisory addresses the following vulnerabilities:
CVE-2021-38562 (Timing Attack)
CVE-2022-25802 (XSS via Attachments)
CVE-2022-25803 (Improper Redirection - DoS)
CVE-2023-41259
CVE-2023-41260
CVE-2023-45024
CVE-2024-3262
CVE-2025-2545
CVE-2025-30087
CVE-2025-31500
CVE-2025-31501
Primary Source: Ubuntu Security Notice USN-7692-
1: https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7692-1
Securing enterprise ticketing systems like Request Tracker is paramount for maintaining operational security and trust. The vulnerabilities patched in USN-7692-1 pose tangible risks to data confidentiality, system integrity, and service availability.
Administrators of affected Ubuntu systems (22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, 25.04) must prioritize applying the specified package updates and restarting
Request Tracker services immediately. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are essential for receiving these critical patches on 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS systems. Stay vigilant, patch promptly, and safeguard your critical infrastructure.

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