Link following in Rsync - CVE-2026-53799
Published: August 13, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU142281
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 7.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-53799
CWE-ID: CWE-59
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges.
The vulnerability exists due to improper link resolution before file access in the receiver ACL/xattr metadata apply logic when preserving metadata and applying received ACLs or xattrs by path. A local user can race a path component into a symlink to cause rsync to apply attacker-controlled ACL data to a victim inode outside the destination tree to escalate privileges.
A local user who controls a path component can exploit the issue after the receiver creates the entry but before the metadata apply. A raced FIFO could also block the metadata apply.
Affected software
Rsync
How to mitigate CVE-2026-53799
Install security update from vendor's website.
Rsync - update to 3.5.0