CVE-2015-8768: click/install.py in click does not require files in package filesystem tarballs to start with ./ (dot slash),

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2015-8768 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting click, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

click/install.py in click does not require files in package filesystem tarballs to start with ./ (dot slash), which allows remote attackers to install an alternate security policy and gain privileges via a crafted package, as demonstrated by the test.mmrow app for Ubuntu phone.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2017-02-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · click project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-13 18:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

click project click MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy click || rpm -q click || click --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 15.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2015-8768?

click: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-8768 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8768 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2015-8768 affect?

CVE-2015-8768 affects click, ubuntu linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). click/install.py in click does not require files in package filesystem tarballs to start with ./ (dot slash), which allows remote attackers to install an alternate security policy and gain privileges via a crafted package, as demonstrated b

How urgent is CVE-2015-8768?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-7246 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE This CVE record was assigned not following CNA/CVE rules and is not considered a valid vulnerability by the Pa

References

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