CVE-2026-91203

Cockpit-files: cockpit-files: arbitrary file ownership and permission modification via symlink race condition

Published Sep 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in cockpit-files. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to exploit a timing issue, known as a symlink race condition, during privileged file operations such as changing file ownership or permissions. By manipulating directory entries and winning this race, the attacker can redirect these operations to unintended files. This could lead to unauthorized changes in file ownership and permissions on arbitrary files, potentially compromising system integrity and availability by altering system or application states or rendering services unusable.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Until a fixed package is available, avoid performing privileged ownership or permission changes through the Cockpit Files application in directories that are writable by untrusted or low-privileged users. Where possible, restrict or disable superuser-backed file operations (the elevated chown/chmod flows used for file creation, upload, ownership, and permission changes) for shared writable paths, and perform file metadata changes only on trusted directories. Exploitability is substantially reduced when privileged Cockpit sessions do not operate on attacker-writable directories.

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:9
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10.2
References
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 A flaw was found in cockpit-files. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to exploit a timing issue, known as a symlink race condition, during privileged file operations such as changing file ownership or permissions. By manipulating directory entries and winning this race, the attacker can redirect these operations to unintended files. This could lead to unauthorized changes in file ownership and permissions on arbitrary files, potentially compromising system integrity and availability by altering system or application states or rendering services unusable.
Title Cockpit-files: cockpit-files: arbitrary file ownership and permission modification via symlink race condition
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Weaknesses CWE-363
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, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 11, 2026, 11:30 AM
Reserved
Sep 14, 2026, 9:59 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 18, 2026, 8:17 PM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 12:20 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Sep 18, 2026, 4:34 PM