[Bug 988841] [NEW] cannot use update manager

[Jackson Sandberg Lawler]

*** This bug is a security vulnerability ***

Public security bug reported:

whenever I open update-manager now, I get this message:

E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with
MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/us.archive.ubuntu
.com_ubuntu_dists_precise_main_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package lists
or status file could not be parsed or opened.

This happened just after I told the program to check for updates.  I am
at school and they have a filter program that blocks us (the students)
from getting online without logging on first.  I forgot that I had to
log on first because I opened update-manager before I opened my browser
(where the username and password is prompted upon initial attempt to
visit a webpage).

First thing, I opened update manager, and checked for updates.  it told
me to check my internet connection; that was when I realized that I had
forgotten to log in.  So, I opened my browser and typed in my username
and password and then got on to google just fine.  Then, I tried to
update again, and almost immediately, I presented with the error message
I mentioned before.

I marked this as a security vulnerability because I think that it might
be, since I cannot receive any updates anymore.

** Affects: update-manager (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Visibility changed to: Public

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/988841

Title:
  cannot use update manager

Status in “update-manager” package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  whenever I open update-manager now, I get this message:

  E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with
  MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/us.archive.ubuntu
  .com_ubuntu_dists_precise_main_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package
  lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

  This happened just after I told the program to check for updates.  I
  am at school and they have a filter program that blocks us (the
  students) from getting online without logging on first.  I forgot that
  I had to log on first because I opened update-manager before I opened
  my browser (where the username and password is prompted upon initial
  attempt to visit a webpage).

  First thing, I opened update manager, and checked for updates.  it
  told me to check my internet connection; that was when I realized that
  I had forgotten to log in.  So, I opened my browser and typed in my
  username and password and then got on to google just fine.  Then, I
  tried to update again, and almost immediately, I presented with the
  error message I mentioned before.

  I marked this as a security vulnerability because I think that it
  might be, since I cannot receive any updates anymore.

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