CVE-2026-27456

util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup

Published Apr 3, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.7 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. Prior to version 2.41.4, a TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) vulnerability has been identified in the SUID binary /usr/bin/mount from util-linux. The mount binary, when setting up loop devices, validates the source file path with user privileges via fork() + setuid() + realpath(), but subsequently re-canonicalizes and opens it with root privileges (euid=0) without verifying that the path has not been replaced between both operations. Neither O_NOFOLLOW, nor inode comparison, nor post-open fstat() are employed. This allows a local unprivileged user to replace the source file with a symlink pointing to any root-owned file or device during the race window, causing the SUID binary to open and mount it as root. Exploitation requires an /etc/fstab entry with user,loop options whose path points to a directory where the attacker has write permission, and that /usr/bin/mount has the SUID bit set (the default configuration on virtually all Linux distributions). The impact is unauthorized read access to root-protected files and block devices, including backup images, disk volumes, and any file containing a valid filesystem. This issue has been patched in version 2.41.4.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6442-1 util-linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8702-1 util-linux vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Kernel
Kernel util-linux
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:kernel:util-linux:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Kernel
Kernel util-linux
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Linux
Linux util-linux
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux util-linux
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. Prior to version 2.41.4, a TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) vulnerability has been identified in the SUID binary /usr/bin/mount from util-linux. The mount binary, when setting up loop devices, validates the source file path with user privileges via fork() + setuid() + realpath(), but subsequently re-canonicalizes and opens it with root privileges (euid=0) without verifying that the path has not been replaced between both operations. Neither O_NOFOLLOW, nor inode comparison, nor post-open fstat() are employed. This allows a local unprivileged user to replace the source file with a symlink pointing to any root-owned file or device during the race window, causing the SUID binary to open and mount it as root. Exploitation requires an /etc/fstab entry with user,loop options whose path points to a directory where the attacker has write permission, and that /usr/bin/mount has the SUID bit set (the default configuration on virtually all Linux distributions). The impact is unauthorized read access to root-protected files and block devices, including backup images, disk volumes, and any file containing a valid filesystem. This issue has been patched in version 2.41.4.
Title util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup
Weaknesses CWE-269
CWE-367
CWE-59
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Apr 6, 2026, 3:42 PM
Reserved
Feb 19, 2026, 5:25 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 3, 2026, 10:16 PM
Modified
Jul 24, 2026, 10:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Apr 3, 2026, 9:23 PM