USN-8691-1: attr vulnerability

Publication date

31 August 2026

Overview

attr could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.


Packages

  • attr - utilities for manipulating file system extended attributes

Details

It was discovered that attr incorrectly handled symbolic links while
traversing directory paths. A local attacker who controlled a pathname
component could possibly use this issue to redirect privileged attr
operations to arbitrary files and gain elevated privileges.

It was discovered that attr incorrectly handled symbolic links while
traversing directory paths. A local attacker who controlled a pathname
component could possibly use this issue to redirect privileged attr
operations to arbitrary files and gain elevated 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
26.04 LTS resolute attr –  1:2.5.2-4ubuntu0.1
libattr1 –  1:2.5.2-4ubuntu0.1
24.04 LTS noble attr –  1:2.5.2-1ubuntu0.1
libattr1 –  1:2.5.2-1ubuntu0.1
22.04 LTS jammy attr –  1:2.5.1-1ubuntu0.1
libattr1 –  1:2.5.1-1ubuntu0.1
20.04 LTS focal attr –  1:2.4.48-5ubuntu0.1~esm1  
libattr1 –  1:2.4.48-5ubuntu0.1~esm1  
18.04 LTS bionic attr –  1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1  
libattr1 –  1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1  
16.04 LTS xenial attr –  1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm1  
libattr1 –  1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm1  
14.04 LTS trusty attr –  1:2.4.47-1ubuntu1+esm1  
libattr1 –  1:2.4.47-1ubuntu1+esm1  

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.


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