USN-8193-2: libcap vulnerability

Publication date

23 June 2026

Overview

libcap could be made to modify capabilities on arbitrary files.


Packages

  • libcap2 - POSIX 1003.1e capabilities library

Details

USN-8193-1 fixed a vulnerability in libcap. This update provides the
corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS,
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Original advisory details:

Ali Raza discovered that libcap incorrectly handled file capability
updates. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to inject or strip
capabilities into arbitrary executables and escalate privileges.

USN-8193-1 fixed a vulnerability in libcap. This update provides the
corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS,
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Original advisory details:

Ali Raza discovered that libcap incorrectly handled file capability
updates. A local attacker could possibly use this issue to inject or strip
capabilities into arbitrary executables and escalate privileges.

Update instructions

In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.

Learn more about how to get the fixes.

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu Release Package Version
20.04 LTS focal libcap-dev –  1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1  
libcap2 –  1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1  
libcap2-bin –  1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1  
libpam-cap –  1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1  
18.04 LTS bionic libcap-dev –  1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libcap2 –  1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libcap2-bin –  1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libpam-cap –  1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2  
16.04 LTS xenial libcap-dev –  1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libcap2 –  1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libcap2-bin –  1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2  
libpam-cap –  1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2  
14.04 LTS trusty libcap-dev –  1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2  
libcap2 –  1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2  
libcap2-bin –  1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2  
libpam-cap –  1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2  

Reduce your security exposure

Ubuntu Pro provides ten-year security coverage to 25,000+ packages in Main and Universe repositories, and it is free for up to five machines.


Have additional questions?

Talk to a member of the team ›