CVE-2026-53789
rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Deletion via Malicious File List
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 13, 2026, 3:19 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 31, 2026, 3:39 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update rsync to a secure version.
- Verify rsync configuration for delete operations.
- Review transfer logs for suspicious activity.
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-2026-53789.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 | Product Release Notes |
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-fxwg-7hmf-xh5q | Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-deletion-via-malicious-file-list | Release Notes Third Party 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-2026-53789 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-2026-53789
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).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-53789 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-53789 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]
Aug. 31, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:samba:rsync:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 3.5.0 Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 Types: Product, Release Notes Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-fxwg-7hmf-xh5q Types: Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-deletion-via-malicious-file-list Types: Release Notes, Third Party Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 15, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-53789', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-15T03:18:22.664464Z'} -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'repo': 'https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync', 'vendor': 'RsyncProject', 'product': 'rsync', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '3.4.4'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '3.5.0', 'versionType': 'semver'}], 'packageURL': 'pkg:github/RsyncProject/rsync', 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added 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. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H Added CWE CWE-807 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-fxwg-7hmf-xh5q Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-deletion-via-malicious-file-list