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Ubuntu 20.04 libcap Significant Privilege Escalation Flaw USN-8193-2

ubuntu
Calendar Grey June 23, 2026
Dist Ubuntu Esm H88
modification of file capabilities could allow unprivileged users to escalate privileges on Ubuntu systems. Update recommended!
libcap could be made to modify capabilities on arbitrary files.

Summary

libcap could be made to modify capabilities on arbitrary files.

Software Description:

- 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.

Topics%20covered

Topics Covered

security advisory privilege escalation Ubuntu modification libcap arbitrary files

Update Instructions

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

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
  libcap-dev                      1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2                         1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2-bin                     1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libpam-cap                      1:2.32-1ubuntu0.2+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
  libcap-dev                      1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2                         1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2-bin                     1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libpam-cap                      1:2.25-1.2ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
  libcap-dev                      1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2                         1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2-bin                     1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libpam-cap                      1:2.24-12ubuntu0.1~esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
  libcap-dev                      1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2                         1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libcap2-bin                     1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro
  libpam-cap                      1:2.24-0ubuntu2+esm2
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

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

References

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8193-2

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8193-1

CVE-2026-4878

Severity
critical
Lowest
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8193-2

Topics%20covered

Topics Covered

security advisory privilege escalation Ubuntu modification libcap arbitrary files

Package Information

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