CVE-2026-127018
Description
A flaw was found in incron. A local attacker can achieve privilege escalation by supplying a custom configuration file to the privileged incrontab utility. Because incrontab fails to discard the custom configuration path when run by an unprivileged user, it processes the attacker-controlled settings. By configuring the utility to write through symbolic links, an attacker can overwrite arbitrary system files and alter their ownership to gain administrative privileges.
Statement
Red Hat Product Security has determined that this vulnerability does not affect any currently supported Red Hat product. This assessment may evolve based on further analysis and discovery. For more information about this vulnerability and the products it affects, please see the linked references.
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality,Integrity,Access Control
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Modify Files or Directories; Bypass Protection Mechanism
An attacker may be able to traverse the file system to unintended locations and read or overwrite the contents of unexpected files. If the files are used for a security mechanism then an attacker may be able to bypass the mechanism.
Other
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Windows simple shortcuts, sometimes referred to as soft links, can be exploited remotely since a ".LNK" file can be uploaded like a normal file. This can enable remote execution.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Edward Cant for reporting this issue.
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