CVE-2026-53803

rsync < 3.5.0 Symlink Following Arbitrary File Overwrite

Published Aug 13, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains a symlink following vulnerability that allows local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files by placing a symlink at a predictable output path such as --log-file, --write-batch, or daemon-mode log and statistics paths. Attackers can exploit rsync's failure to reject symlinks during ancillary file writes to redirect output to arbitrary filesystem locations, achieving local privilege escalation on installations where rsync runs with elevated privileges such as setuid or privileged daemon configurations.

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
First Time appeared Samba
Samba rsync
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:samba:rsync:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Samba
Samba 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
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 a symlink following vulnerability that allows local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files by placing a symlink at a predictable output path such as --log-file, --write-batch, or daemon-mode log and statistics paths. Attackers can exploit rsync's failure to reject symlinks during ancillary file writes to redirect output to arbitrary filesystem locations, achieving local privilege escalation on installations where rsync runs with elevated privileges such as setuid or privileged daemon configurations.
Title rsync < 3.5.0 Symlink Following Arbitrary File Overwrite
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/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
Aug 14, 2026, 4:50 PM
Reserved
Jun 10, 2026, 8:14 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 13, 2026, 3:19 PM
Modified
Oct 24, 2026, 4:10 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Aug 13, 2026, 2:33 PM