CVE-2026-53797
Description
A symlink race condition in rsync's source tree traversal allows a low-privileged local attacker to access unauthorized files. By atomically replacing a parent directory component with a symlink during an active transfer, the attacker can redirect file reads outside the intended transfer root, resulting in information disclosure.
Statement
A Moderate severity symlink race condition in rsync allows for information disclosure. An attacker with local access—or via a prior system compromise—who can manipulate a parent directory within the rsync source tree can redirect file reads. This manipulation allows the attacker to access and expose sensitive data located outside the intended transfer root.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, ensure that the source directories and their parent directories used by rsync are not writable by untrusted users. Restricting write access to these directories prevents an attacker from creating or manipulating symlinks to redirect file reads. If rsync is run as a service, ensure it operates with the least necessary privileges.
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 | 4.7 | N/A | 4.7 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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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