Gnome-screensaver process keeps running after it's uninstalled

[Ville Ranki]

Steps:

1. Run Gnome (see note)
2. apt remove gnome-screensaver
3. Let the screensaver lock the screen
4. Try unlocking

Screen unblanks but the screensaver does not prompt for password and there is no easy way to resume working.

Note:
Really I ran Cinnamon with both cinnamon-screensaver and gnome-screensaver running (they should block eachother!) causing two lock screens. I uninstalled gnome-screensaver as guided somewhere, but the actual process wasn't killed.

Fix for the bug is that the prerm script should kill remaining gnome-screensaver processes and/or gnome-screensaver should unlock if it detects it has been removed and cannot operate anymore. This should be tested well as it poses a security risk.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.04
Package: gnome-screensaver (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.10.0-33.37-generic 4.10.17
Uname: Linux 4.10.0-33-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.4-0ubuntu4.5
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: X-Cinnamon
Date: Tue Sep 26 14:29:48 2017
InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-03-29 (181 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 17.04 "Zesty Zapus" - Beta amd64 (20170321)
SourcePackage: gnome-screensaver
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[dino99 (9d9)]

That version is now dead
http://news.softpedia.com/news/ubuntu-17-04-zesty-zapus-has-reached-end-of-life-upgrade-to-ubuntu-17-10-now-519360.shtml

note: 'remove' let the package's settings behind; so use 'purge' instead.

[Ville Ranki (ville-ranki)]

Removing the settings wouldn't help as the process is not stopped when the package is removed. The bug most probably still exists in 17.10 and future releases unless it has been fixed upstream.