CVE-2026-91202

Cockpit-files: cockpit-files: arbitrary file ownership change via symlink following in privileged paste

Published Sep 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.1 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in cockpit-files. A low-privileged local user can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a directory containing a symbolic link (symlink) and then using the privileged "Paste as owner" function. This allows for arbitrary file ownership changes outside the intended pasted directory, leading to a compromise of data integrity. In some cases, this could also lead to reduced confidentiality if the new ownership grants unauthorized read access. Exploitation requires user interaction to select a non-original owner during the paste operation.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

A workaround is available for this issue: avoid using the privileged "Paste as owner" option in cockpit-files when pasting copied directory trees that may contain symlinks. If a privileged paste is required, keep the owner selection at "original", which skips the recursive chown code path entirely and prevents ownership changes from following symlinks to files outside the pasted directory. Once updated cockpit-files packages containing the fix are available for the affected streams, installing them resolves the issue.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.3
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10 cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9 cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::appstream
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in cockpit-files. A low-privileged local user can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a directory containing a symbolic link (symlink) and then using the privileged "Paste as owner" function. This allows for arbitrary file ownership changes outside the intended pasted directory, leading to a compromise of data integrity. In some cases, this could also lead to reduced confidentiality if the new ownership grants unauthorized read access. Exploitation requires user interaction to select a non-original owner during the paste operation.
Title Cockpit-files: cockpit-files: arbitrary file ownership change via symlink following in privileged paste
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Weaknesses CWE-61
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 11, 2026, 12:59 PM
Reserved
Sep 14, 2026, 9:58 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 18, 2026, 8:17 PM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 1:17 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Sep 18, 2026, 4:33 PM