CVE-2026-53802: CWE-61 UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in RsyncProject rsync
CVE-2026-53802 is a high-severity vulnerability in rsync versions up to 3.4.4 that allows arbitrary file reading via symbolic link following. The flaw occurs when rsync processes input configuration files such as --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can exploit this by placing symlinks at predictable paths or by supplying paths that escape the daemon module root, enabling them to read any files accessible to the rsync daemon process.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Rsync versions up to and including 3.4.4 contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability (CWE-61) due to unsafe symbolic link following in handling input configuration files including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. An attacker with local or limited privileges can place a symlink at a predictable path or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, causing rsync to follow the symlink and read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync daemon process. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-53802 and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.4 (high severity). No official patch or remediation level is currently documented in the provided data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with at least low privileges to read arbitrary files accessible by the rsync daemon process. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has low attack complexity, but requires local or limited privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to the rsync daemon and carefully control file paths used with --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files to prevent symlink exploitation.
CVE-2026-53802: CWE-61 UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in RsyncProject rsync
Description
CVE-2026-53802 is a high-severity vulnerability in rsync versions up to 3.4.4 that allows arbitrary file reading via symbolic link following. The flaw occurs when rsync processes input configuration files such as --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. Attackers can exploit this by placing symlinks at predictable paths or by supplying paths that escape the daemon module root, enabling them to read any files accessible to the rsync daemon process.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.4high
Affected software
RsyncProject
rsync
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Rsync versions up to and including 3.4.4 contain an arbitrary file read vulnerability (CWE-61) due to unsafe symbolic link following in handling input configuration files including --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files. An attacker with local or limited privileges can place a symlink at a predictable path or supply a --files-from path that escapes the daemon module root, causing rsync to follow the symlink and read arbitrary files accessible to the rsync daemon process. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2026-53802 and has a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.4 (high severity). No official patch or remediation level is currently documented in the provided data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with at least low privileges to read arbitrary files accessible by the rsync daemon process. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has low attack complexity, but requires local or limited privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to the rsync daemon and carefully control file paths used with --files-from, --password-file, and filter merge files to prevent symlink exploitation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-10T20:14:32.829Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a7ddec6bf8831d5395cfd0b
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 15:12:06 UTC
Last enriched: 08/21/2026, 13:38:53 UTC
Last updated: 09/26/2026, 01:47:42 UTC
Views: 37
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