package tcpdump 4.9.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 2

[Neil Wilson]

Background installation of the package failed and stoppered up dpkg for a month. There was no indication the update system wasn't work it.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: tcpdump 4.9.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-97.120-generic 4.4.87
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-97-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.10
AptOrdering:
 tcpdump: Purge
 NULL: ConfigurePending
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sat Oct 21 11:41:49 2017
DpkgTerminalLog:
 Removing tcpdump (4.9.0-1ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04.1) ...
 /var/lib/dpkg/info/tcpdump.postrm: 1: /var/lib/dpkg/info/tcpdump.postrm: Syntax error: word unexpected (expecting ")")
 dpkg: error processing package tcpdump (--purge):
  subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 2
DuplicateSignature:
 package:tcpdump:4.9.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1
 Removing tcpdump (4.9.0-1ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04.1) ...
 /var/lib/dpkg/info/tcpdump.postrm: 1: /var/lib/dpkg/info/tcpdump.postrm: Syntax error: word unexpected (expecting ")")
 dpkg: error processing package tcpdump (--purge):
  subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 2
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 2
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-04-28 (540 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160420.1)
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.18.4ubuntu1.2
 apt 1.2.24
SourcePackage: tcpdump
Title: package tcpdump 4.9.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 2
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)