CVE-2026-53802: CWE-61 UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in RsyncProject rsync
rsync before 3.5.0 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows attackers to read files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in input configuration file handling including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can place a symlink at a predictable --files-from or --password-file path, or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-53802 is an arbitrary file read vulnerability in rsync versions up to 3.4.4. The flaw arises from unsafe symbolic link following in input configuration file handling, including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can exploit this by placing symlinks at predictable paths or supplying --files-from paths that escape the daemon module root, enabling them to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-61 (UNIX Symbolic Link Following).
Potential Impact
An attacker with at least low privileges can read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in configuration file handling. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, avoid running vulnerable versions of rsync in daemon mode with untrusted input files. Restrict access to configuration files such as --files-from and --password-file to trusted users only.
CVE-2026-53802: CWE-61 UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in RsyncProject rsync
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows attackers to read files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in input configuration file handling including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can place a symlink at a predictable --files-from or --password-file path, or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.4high
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-53802 is an arbitrary file read vulnerability in rsync versions up to 3.4.4. The flaw arises from unsafe symbolic link following in input configuration file handling, including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can exploit this by placing symlinks at predictable paths or supplying --files-from paths that escape the daemon module root, enabling them to read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync process. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-61 (UNIX Symbolic Link Following).
Potential Impact
An attacker with at least low privileges can read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync daemon process by exploiting symlink following in configuration file handling. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, avoid running vulnerable versions of rsync in daemon mode with untrusted input files. Restrict access to configuration files such as --files-from and --password-file to trusted users only.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-10T20:14:32.829Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7ddec6bf8831d5395cfd0b
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 15:12:06 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 15:43:22 UTC
Last updated: 08/13/2026, 17:43:31 UTC
Views: 2
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