Ubuntu USN-8797-1 Fixes GStreamer Base Plugins Vulnerability
Tech GuruQuick Answer
Ubuntu USN-8797-1 fixes an OGG-processing vulnerability in GStreamer Base Plugins. Opening a crafted file could crash a dependent application or execute code with that application user's privileges. Update the installed Base Plugins packages for the Ubuntu release in the table.
Confirm Scope And Apply The Supported Fix
What to do now: Match the Ubuntu codename and installed Base Plugins binaries to USN-8797-1, enable the required supported update service, and apply the release-specific package update.
Source check: 2026-10-02 UTC. This notice reflects the primary-source evidence described below, not a completed update or exploitation test. Recheck the advisory and supported distribution channel before changing production.
Scope And Authority
| Product scope | GStreamer Base Plugins packages on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (resolute), Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (noble), Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (jammy), Ubuntu 20.04 ESM (focal), Ubuntu 18.04 ESM (bionic), Ubuntu 16.04 ESM (xenial) |
|---|---|
| Advisory | USN-8797-1 |
| CVE | CVE-2026-18297 |
| Authoritative release date | 2026-09-21 (Canonical publication date; no time specified) |
| Authority revision date | No separate revision timestamp verified in the public USN. The former precise imported timestamp was not established as an advisory revision. |
| Affected versions | The Ubuntu releases and packages enumerated in USN-8797-1: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (resolute), Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (noble), Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (jammy), Ubuntu 20.04 ESM (focal), Ubuntu 18.04 ESM (bionic), Ubuntu 16.04 ESM (xenial). |
| Fixed version | bionic: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.14.5-0ubuntu1~18.04.3+esm4 / focal: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.16.3-0ubuntu1.4+esm3 / jammy: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.20.1-1ubuntu0.7 / noble: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.24.2-1ubuntu0.5 / resolute: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.28.2-1ubuntu0.1 / xenial: gst-plugins-base1.0 1.8.3-1ubuntu0.3+esm5 |
| CVSS base score | Not provided by the authority |
| CVSS severity | Not provided by the authority |
| Exploitation status | USN-8797-1 does not state that these flaws are being exploited. That is not confirmation that exploitation has not occurred. |
What Changed
The source package is gst-plugins-base1.0; installed binary packages include gstreamer1.0-plugins-base and, where listed by Canonical, Base applications, libraries and output plugins. Inventory those installed binaries rather than treating the source-package label as an install command.
What To Validate Now
- Inventory. Find workstations and media-processing services using GStreamer Base Plugins; record Ubuntu codename, installed binaries, update entitlement and application owner.
- Establish applicability. Use the six release-specific versions below and Canonical's binary-package list. Ubuntu 16.04 requires the Ubuntu Pro Legacy Support add-on; 18.04 and 20.04 fixes are listed under Ubuntu Pro.
- Remediate. Apply the standard supported system update to the affected installed binary packages, using the fixed version for that codename. Do not install a package from another Ubuntu release.
- Validate. Record the installed binary-package versions, reopen affected media applications and test representative OGG playback and the required audio/video outputs. A successful package transaction alone does not show which libraries an already-running process has loaded.
- Retain evidence. Preserve asset and owner identifiers, the applicability decision, before-and-after versions, change approval, installation output, validation results, and any exception or rollback record.
Operational Cautions
Use the exact supported release stream and repository. Test dependencies, clusters, integrations, and rollback before broad deployment; a CVSS rating or reachable feature is not evidence of exploitation.
Evidence To Retain
- Exact product, release stream, package or application version, enabled feature, environment, and accountable owner.
- UTC timestamps, authority revision, approved change record, installer or package-manager output, and resulting version.
- Relevant logs and monitoring evidence, test results, exceptions, compensating controls, and rollback decisions.
Related TechGeeks Resources
Authoritative References
Correction policy: If the authority changes affected versions, fixed versions, severity, exploitation information, mitigations, or required action, TechGeeks will update this notice and its verification date.
