CVE-2026-53799
rsync < 3.5.0 Symlink Race Condition via ACL/xattr Application
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains a symlink race condition vulnerability that allows local attackers to cause rsync to apply arbitrary ACLs or extended attributes to unintended files by substituting a symlink at a predictable destination path between the file write and the subsequent acl_set_file() or lsetxattr() call. Attackers can exploit this timing window to redirect ACL and xattr application through a crafted symlink to files outside the intended destination tree, potentially granting elevated permissions and enabling local privilege escalation.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 13, 2026, 3:19 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 31, 2026, 3:31 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
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 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update rsync to version 3.5.0 or later.
- Review and secure file handling processes.
- Avoid processing untrusted symlinks.
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-2026-53799.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 | Product Release Notes |
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-phxh-hjqv-39c9 | Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-symlink-race-condition-via-acl-xattr-application | 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-2026-53799 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-2026-53799
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-2026-53799 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-53799 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 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-phxh-hjqv-39c9 Types: Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-symlink-race-condition-via-acl-xattr-application Types: Release Notes, Third Party Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-53799', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-14T18:02:59.434021Z'} -
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 a symlink race condition vulnerability that allows local attackers to cause rsync to apply arbitrary ACLs or extended attributes to unintended files by substituting a symlink at a predictable destination path between the file write and the subsequent acl_set_file() or lsetxattr() call. Attackers can exploit this timing window to redirect ACL and xattr application through a crafted symlink to files outside the intended destination tree, potentially granting elevated permissions and enabling local privilege escalation. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/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:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-59 Added CWE CWE-367 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-phxh-hjqv-39c9 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-symlink-race-condition-via-acl-xattr-application