CVE-2026-53803
rsync < 3.5.0 Symlink Following Arbitrary File Overwrite
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 8.5 High
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 14, 2026
- Reserved
- Jun 10, 2026
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains a symlink following vulnerability that allows local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files by placing a symlink at a predictable output path such as --log-file, --write-batch, or daemon-mode log and statistics paths. Attackers can exploit rsync's failure to reject symlinks during ancillary file writes to redirect output to arbitrary filesystem locations, achieving local privilege escalation on installations where rsync runs with elevated privileges such as setuid or privileged daemon configurations.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 8.5 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | VulnCheck |
| 3.1 | 7.8 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | VulnCheck |
Weaknesses
- CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
rsyncRsyncProject |
|
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-g9f4-7q66-9582)vendor-advisory
- rsync 3.5.0 Release Notesrelease-notes
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-symlink-following-arbitrary-file-overwritethird-party-advisory
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