CVE-2026-29518

Rsync < 3.4.3 TOCTOU Race Condition Allows Symlink-Based Arbitrary File Write

Published May 20, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 7.3 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Rsync versions before 3.4.3 contain a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in daemon file handling that allows attackers to redirect file writes outside intended directories by replacing parent directory components with symbolic links. Attackers with write access to a module path can exploit this race condition to create or overwrite arbitrary files, potentially modifying sensitive system files and achieving privilege escalation when the daemon runs with elevated privileges. This vulnerability can only be triggered if the chroot setting is false.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4591-1 rsync security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6282-1 rsync security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8283-1 rsync vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8349-1 rsync vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Samba
Samba rsync
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:samba:rsync:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Samba
Samba rsync
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Rsync Project
Rsync Project rsync
Vendors & Products Rsync Project
Rsync Project rsync
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Rsync versions before 3.4.3 contain a time-of-check to time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in daemon file handling that allows attackers to redirect file writes outside intended directories by replacing parent directory components with symbolic links. Attackers with write access to a module path can exploit this race condition to create or overwrite arbitrary files, potentially modifying sensitive system files and achieving privilege escalation when the daemon runs with elevated privileges. This vulnerability can only be triggered if the chroot setting is false.
Title Rsync < 3.4.3 TOCTOU Race Condition Allows Symlink-Based Arbitrary File Write
Weaknesses CWE-367
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Nov 8, 2026, 2:01 PM
Reserved
Mar 4, 2026, 3:39 PM
Status
Modified
Published
May 20, 2026, 1:16 PM
Modified
Aug 19, 2026, 12:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
May 20, 2026, 12:00 AM