CVE-2026-70460
Description
A path traversal and symlink vulnerability in rsync allows a malicious sender with write access to write files outside the intended directory. By exploiting symbolic links in conjunction with the --partial-dir or --backup-dir options, an attacker can bypass path restrictions to modify arbitrary system files, compromising system integrity
Statement
This is an Important vulnerability in rsync that allows for path traversal. Exploitation requires a malicious sender to utilize the --partial-dir or --backup-dir options and the ability to create or leverage symlinks within the rsync module's file tree. This could lead to arbitrary file writes outside the intended module root.
Mitigation
Disable the rsyncd daemon if it is unused (systemctl disable --now rsyncd), or strictly limit TCP/873 access to trusted clients via firewall rules. Within rsyncd.conf, block the exploit vectors directly by setting refuse options = partial-dir backup-dir and maintain defense-in-depth by enforcing use chroot = yes. Finally, ensure no root- or daemon-owned symlinks point outside your module paths, and avoid using the vulnerable flags when operating as a client against untrusted sources.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.1 | N/A | 8.1 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
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