Moderate: libcap security update

libcap Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

12/09/2023
N/A
Yes i
Unrated
Not published

ALSA-2023:5071: Moderate: libcap security update. Affects libcap versions < 2.48-9.el9_2. Fixed in 2.48-9.el9_2. How to fix ↓

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Background

Libcap is a library for getting and setting POSIX.1e (formerly POSIX 6) draft 15 capabilities. It provides a set of functions that allow programs to manipulate the capabilities of processes. These capabilities control the privileges that a process has, such as the ability to perform certain privileged operations. The libcap library is commonly used in Linux-based systems.

Vulnerability Detail

The libcap library is affected by two security vulnerabilities:

  1. Integer Overflow in _libcap_strdup() (CVE-2023-2603): This vulnerability is caused by an integer overflow in the _libcap_strdup() function. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

  2. Memory Leak on pthread_create() Error (CVE-2023-2602): This vulnerability is caused by a memory leak in the libcap library when an error occurs during the creation of a new thread using the pthread_create() function. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system memory resources, resulting in a denial of service condition.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

2.48-9.el9_2

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo dnf update libcap

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Conclusion

The libcap library is affected by two security vulnerabilities, including an integer overflow and a memory leak. To mitigate these vulnerabilities, it is crucial to update the libcap package to version 2.48-9.el9_2 or later. This update includes patches that address the identified security issues. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Libcap is a library for getting and setting POSIX.1e capabilities in Linux-based systems. It allows programs to manipulate the capabilities of processes, controlling their privileges.

CVE-2023-2603 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the libcap library. It could be exploited by an attacker to cause a buffer overflow and potentially execute arbitrary code.

CVE-2023-2602 is a memory leak vulnerability in the libcap library. It could be exploited by an attacker to exhaust system memory resources, leading to a denial of service condition.

To update the libcap package, you can use the package manager of your operating system. Make sure to install version 2.48-9.el9_2 or later to address the security vulnerabilities.

No specific workaround has been provided for these vulnerabilities. It is recommended to update the libcap package to the latest version.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libcap.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

2.48-9.el9_2

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo dnf update libcap

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