Description
An issue was discovered in Cinnamon 1.9.2 through 3.8.6. The cinnamon-settings-users.py GUI runs as root and allows configuration of (for example) other users' icon files in _on_face_browse_menuitem_activated and _on_face_menuitem_activated. These icon files are written to the respective user's $HOME/.face location. If an unprivileged user prepares a symlink pointing to an arbitrary location, then this location will be overwritten with the icon content.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | cinnamon | 3.8.8-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | cinnamon | 3.8.8-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | cinnamon | 3.8.8-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | cinnamon | 2.2.16-5+deb8u1 | DLA-1420-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | cinnamon | 3.6.7-8ubuntu1+esm1 | USN-4844-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | cinnamon | 2.8.6-1ubuntu1+esm1 | USN-4844-1 |
Advisories 2
- USN-4844-1 cinnamon vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- DLA-1420-1 cinnamon - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026