4.7
MEDIUM CVSS 3.1
CVE-2026-27456
util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup
Description

util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. Prior to version 2.41.4, a TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) vulnerability has been identified in the SUID binary /usr/bin/mount from util-linux. The mount binary, when setting up loop devices, validates the source file path with user privileges via fork() + setuid() + realpath(), but subsequently re-canonicalizes and opens it with root privileges (euid=0) without verifying that the path has not been replaced between both operations. Neither O_NOFOLLOW, nor inode comparison, nor post-open fstat() are employed. This allows a local unprivileged user to replace the source file with a symlink pointing to any root-owned file or device during the race window, causing the SUID binary to open and mount it as root. Exploitation requires an /etc/fstab entry with user,loop options whose path points to a directory where the attacker has write permission, and that /usr/bin/mount has the SUID bit set (the default configuration on virtually all Linux distributions). The impact is unauthorized read access to root-protected files and block devices, including backup images, disk volumes, and any file containing a valid filesystem. This issue has been patched in version 2.41.4.

INFO

Published Date :

April 3, 2026, 10:16 p.m.

Last Modified :

April 3, 2026, 10:16 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-27456 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM [email protected]
Solution
Update util-linux to patch a TOCTOU vulnerability in the mount binary allowing local privilege escalation.
  • Update util-linux to version 2.41.4 or later.
  • Ensure mount binary is not SUID.
  • Review /etc/fstab entries for user,loop options.
  • Restrict write permissions on mountable directories.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2026-27456.

URL Resource
https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/5e390467b26a3cf3fecc04e1a0d482dff3162fc4
https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.4
https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-27456 is associated with the following CWEs:

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2026-27456 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-27456 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Apr. 03, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. Prior to version 2.41.4, a TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) vulnerability has been identified in the SUID binary /usr/bin/mount from util-linux. The mount binary, when setting up loop devices, validates the source file path with user privileges via fork() + setuid() + realpath(), but subsequently re-canonicalizes and opens it with root privileges (euid=0) without verifying that the path has not been replaced between both operations. Neither O_NOFOLLOW, nor inode comparison, nor post-open fstat() are employed. This allows a local unprivileged user to replace the source file with a symlink pointing to any root-owned file or device during the race window, causing the SUID binary to open and mount it as root. Exploitation requires an /etc/fstab entry with user,loop options whose path points to a directory where the attacker has write permission, and that /usr/bin/mount has the SUID bit set (the default configuration on virtually all Linux distributions). The impact is unauthorized read access to root-protected files and block devices, including backup images, disk volumes, and any file containing a valid filesystem. This issue has been patched in version 2.41.4.
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
    Added CWE CWE-59
    Added CWE CWE-269
    Added CWE CWE-367
    Added Reference https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/5e390467b26a3cf3fecc04e1a0d482dff3162fc4
    Added Reference https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.4
    Added Reference https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.