[Bug 2148637] [NEW] update-notifier: GTK notification bypasses lockscreen
Zayd
2148637 at bugs.launchpad.net
Fri Apr 17 03:14:41 UTC 2026
Public bug reported:
## Problem
When the system is locked, check-new-release-gtk (launched by update-
notifier-release.service) attempts to display a GTK window, causing
GNOME Shell lockscreen to be incorrectly reset. Screen unlocks without
password.
## Steps to Reproduce
1. Login to Ubuntu desktop
2. Lock screen with Super+L
3. Wait for update-notifier-release.service to trigger
4. Lockscreen is bypassed
## Expected Behavior
Program should detect lockscreen and delay notification
## Actual Behavior
Lockscreen shield state is reset, screen unlocks automatically
## Logs
Apr 17 06:00:44 update-notifier: gtk_widget_get_scale_factor: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Apr 17 06:02:27 systemd: Starting update-notifier-release.service
Apr 17 06:02:48 check-new-release-gtk: timeout reached, exiting
Apr 17 06:02:48 systemd: Finished update-notifier-release.service
## Security Impact
Local attacker can bypass lockscreen via physical access
** Affects: update-notifier (Ubuntu)
Importance: Undecided
Status: New
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2148637
Title:
update-notifier: GTK notification bypasses lockscreen
Status in update-notifier package in Ubuntu:
New
Bug description:
## Problem
When the system is locked, check-new-release-gtk (launched by update-
notifier-release.service) attempts to display a GTK window, causing
GNOME Shell lockscreen to be incorrectly reset. Screen unlocks without
password.
## Steps to Reproduce
1. Login to Ubuntu desktop
2. Lock screen with Super+L
3. Wait for update-notifier-release.service to trigger
4. Lockscreen is bypassed
## Expected Behavior
Program should detect lockscreen and delay notification
## Actual Behavior
Lockscreen shield state is reset, screen unlocks automatically
## Logs
Apr 17 06:00:44 update-notifier: gtk_widget_get_scale_factor: assertion 'GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed
Apr 17 06:02:27 systemd: Starting update-notifier-release.service
Apr 17 06:02:48 check-new-release-gtk: timeout reached, exiting
Apr 17 06:02:48 systemd: Finished update-notifier-release.service
## Security Impact
Local attacker can bypass lockscreen via physical access
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