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 22, 2026, 4:08 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | MITRE-CVE |
Solution
- 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.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-27456 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
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 | Patch |
| https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.4 | Product |
| https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
| https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g | Exploit Vendor Advisory |
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:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-27456
weaknesses.
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).
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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.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Apr. 22, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE CWE-367 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:kernel:util-linux:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2.41.4 Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/5e390467b26a3cf3fecc04e1a0d482dff3162fc4 Types: Patch Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.4 Types: Product Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Apr. 06, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-qq4x-vfq4-9h9g -
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