CVE-2026-53802
rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Read via Symlink Following
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows attackers to read files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in input configuration file handling including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can place a symlink at a predictable --files-from or --password-file path, or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 13, 2026, 3:19 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 31, 2026, 3:26 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 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update rsync to a version later than 3.5.0.
- Review rsync daemon configuration for symlinks.
- Restrict access to rsync configuration files.
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-2026-53802.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 | Product Release Notes |
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 | Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-read-via-symlink-following | Release Notes Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 | 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-2026-53802 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-2026-53802
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-2026-53802 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-53802 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-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 Types: Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type VulnCheck: https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-read-via-symlink-following Types: Release Notes, Third Party Advisory Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 Types: Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Aug. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed 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'}], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] [{'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'}] -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-53802', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T15:23:14.588084Z'} -
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'}], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description rsync before 3.5.0 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows attackers to read files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in input configuration file handling including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can place a symlink at a predictable --files-from or --password-file path, or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:L/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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-61 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0 Added Reference https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-read-via-symlink-following