CVE-2026-53789

rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Deletion via Malicious File List

Published Aug 13, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 7.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains an improper path handling vulnerability that allows a malicious sender to expand the scope of --delete operations beyond the intended destination subtree by sending a crafted file list that causes rsync to reclassify implied parent directory entries or treat synthetic paths as the transfer root. Attackers can exploit multiple variants including implied parent reclassification, synthetic root path construction, legacy protocol behavior below version 30, and non-directory root handling to cause the receiver to delete files outside the authorized destination directory.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4888-1 rsync security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6527-1 rsync security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

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
Description rsync before 3.5.0 contains an improper path handling vulnerability that allows a malicious sender to expand the scope of --delete operations beyond the intended destination subtree by sending a crafted file list that causes rsync to reclassify implied parent directory entries or treat synthetic paths as the transfer root. Attackers can exploit multiple variants including implied parent reclassification, synthetic root path construction, legacy protocol behavior below version 30, and non-directory root handling to cause the receiver to delete files outside the authorized destination directory.
Title rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Deletion via Malicious File List
Weaknesses CWE-807
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Aug 15, 2026, 3:18 AM
Reserved
Jun 10, 2026, 8:14 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 13, 2026, 3:19 PM
Modified
Oct 24, 2026, 4:10 PM