CVE-2026-53614
Description
A flaw was found in util-linux. The mount(8) SUID binary does not sanitize the LIBMOUNT_FORCE_MOUNT2 environment variable before use. A local unprivileged user can set this variable to force mount(8) to use the legacy two-step mount(2) code path, which applies security restrictions such as nosuid and noexec after the mount is already active. During this window, an attacker can execute a SUID binary from the mounted filesystem, allowing local privilege escalation to root.
Statement
Affected versions: util-linux v2.39.1 through v2.43-devel (current master). The LIBMOUNT_FORCE_MOUNT2 environment variable was introduced in commit fd6b4d94ff01.
Mitigation
In the legacy bind path, use mount_setattr() to apply security flags atomically, eliminating the window between the two syscalls. Add SUID regression test: LIBMOUNT_FORCE_MOUNT2=always must not change API path selection for unprivileged callers.
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).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Xinyao Hu (Independent Security Researcher) for reporting this issue.
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