package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.4 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[Gerald K. Yancey]

All I know is what the computer says. I really don't understand Ubuntu.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.16.0-46.62~14.04.1-generic 3.16.7-ckt15
Uname: Linux 3.16.0-46-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.12
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Aug 31 19:40:38 2015
DuplicateSignature: package:dpkg-dev:1.17.5ubuntu5.4:package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-07-21 (41 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20150218.1)
PackageArchitecture: all
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.4
 apt 1.0.1ubuntu2.10
SourcePackage: dpkg
Title: package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.4 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.default: [deleted]
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.override: [deleted]

[Seth Arnold (seth-arnold)]

Thanks for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. We appreciate the difficulties you are facing, but this appears to be a "regular" (non-security) bug. I have unmarked it as a security issue since this bug does not show evidence of allowing attackers to cross privilege boundaries nor directly cause loss of data/privacy. Please feel free to report any other bugs you may find.

[Seth Arnold (seth-arnold)]

Try sudo apt-get install --reinstall dpkg-dev

Thanks

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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