CVE-2026-53789
rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Deletion via Malicious File List
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 7.1 High
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 15, 2026
- Reserved
- Jun 10, 2026
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains an improper path handling vulnerability that allows a malicious sender to expand the scope of --delete operations beyond the intended destination subtree by sending a crafted file list that causes rsync to reclassify implied parent directory entries or treat synthetic paths as the transfer root. Attackers can exploit multiple variants including implied parent reclassification, synthetic root path construction, legacy protocol behavior below version 30, and non-directory root handling to cause the receiver to delete files outside the authorized destination directory.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 7.1 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | VulnCheck |
| 3.1 | 6.5 Medium | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H | VulnCheck |
Weaknesses
- CWE-807 Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
rsyncRsyncProject |
|
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-fxwg-7hmf-xh5q)vendor-advisory
- rsync 3.5.0 Release Notesrelease-notes
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-deletion-via-malicious-file-listthird-party-advisory
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