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[USN-8691-1] attr vulnerability

Posted on 31 August 2026
Ubuntu Security

==========================================================================Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8691-1
August 31, 2026

attr vulnerability
==========================================================================
A security issue affects these releases of Ubuntu and its derivatives:

- Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Summary:

attr could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.

Software Description:
- 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.

Update instructions:

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

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
attr 1:2.5.2-4ubuntu0.1
libattr1 1:2.5.2-4ubuntu0.1

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
attr 1:2.5.2-1ubuntu0.1
libattr1 1:2.5.2-1ubuntu0.1

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
attr 1:2.5.1-1ubuntu0.1
libattr1 1:2.5.1-1ubuntu0.1

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
attr 1:2.4.48-5ubuntu0.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro
libattr1 1:2.4.48-5ubuntu0.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
attr 1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro
libattr1 1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
attr 1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro
libattr1 1:2.4.47-2ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
attr 1:2.4.47-1ubuntu1+esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro
libattr1 1:2.4.47-1ubuntu1+esm1
Available with Ubuntu Pro

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

References:
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8691-1
CVE-2026-54371

Package Information:
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/attr/1:2.5.2-4ubuntu0.1
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/attr/1:2.5.2-1ubuntu0.1
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/attr/1:2.5.1-1ubuntu0.1

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