Hey. This is with tar 1.34 from Debian unstable.
The info page claims in 4.3.2 Extended File Attributes: > Attribute names are strings prefixed by a "namespace" name and a dot. > Currently, four namespaces exist: 'user', 'trusted', 'security' and > 'system'. By default, when '--xattr' is used, all names are stored > in the archive (or extracted, if using '--extract'). However, when doing e.g. (as root): # tar --selinux --xattrs --acls --numeric-owner --preserve-permissions -cf x.tar /bin/ping with: # getcap /bin/ping /bin/ping cap_net_raw=ep and then: # tar --selinux --xattrs --acls --numeric-owner --preserve-permissions -xf x.tar the file has lost its capabilities: # getcap bin/ping # However, on the same archive file (without recreating it) when using -- xattrs-include='*': # tar --selinux --xattrs --xattrs-include='*' --acls --numeric-owner --preserve-permissions -xf x.tar # getcap bin/ping bin/ping cap_net_raw=ep This should either be fixed or some information should go into at least these sections: - manpage, at the --xattr option - info page 3.4.2 'tar' Options, at the --xattr option - info page 4.3.2 Extended File Attributes where it should be mentioned, which namespaces are not included per default. Thanks, Chris. PS: Please keep me CCed if replying.