CVE-2026-70454: CWE-295 Improper Certificate Validation in RsyncProject rsync
rsync 3.2.0 through 3.2.3 (openssl mode) and rsync-ssl through 3.4.4 (stunnel mode) contain a TLS certificate validation vulnerability that allows on-path attackers to intercept encrypted sessions by presenting self-signed or otherwise invalid certificates. Attackers can exploit the failure to validate server TLS certificates against a trusted CA or verify certificate hostname matching to decrypt or tamper with rsync session content without detection by the client.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-70454 is a CWE-295 vulnerability in RsyncProject's rsync software affecting versions up to 3.4.4. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of TLS certificates, where the client fails to verify server certificates against trusted certificate authorities and does not confirm hostname matching. This allows an attacker positioned on the network path to present invalid or self-signed certificates, enabling interception and potential decryption or modification of rsync session data without client detection. The vulnerability impacts both openssl mode (3.2.0 through 3.2.3) and stunnel mode (up to 3.4.4).
Potential Impact
An attacker capable of intercepting network traffic can exploit this vulnerability to decrypt or tamper with encrypted rsync sessions by presenting invalid TLS certificates. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of data transferred via rsync, potentially exposing sensitive information or allowing unauthorized modification of data without detection by the client.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch links are currently available. Users should monitor RsyncProject advisories for updates and consider avoiding use of affected versions or employing additional network security controls to mitigate on-path interception risks until a fix is released.
CVE-2026-70454: CWE-295 Improper Certificate Validation in RsyncProject rsync
Description
rsync 3.2.0 through 3.2.3 (openssl mode) and rsync-ssl through 3.4.4 (stunnel mode) contain a TLS certificate validation vulnerability that allows on-path attackers to intercept encrypted sessions by presenting self-signed or otherwise invalid certificates. Attackers can exploit the failure to validate server TLS certificates against a trusted CA or verify certificate hostname matching to decrypt or tamper with rsync session content without detection by the client.
CVSS v4.0
Score 7.6high
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-70454 is a CWE-295 vulnerability in RsyncProject's rsync software affecting versions up to 3.4.4. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of TLS certificates, where the client fails to verify server certificates against trusted certificate authorities and does not confirm hostname matching. This allows an attacker positioned on the network path to present invalid or self-signed certificates, enabling interception and potential decryption or modification of rsync session data without client detection. The vulnerability impacts both openssl mode (3.2.0 through 3.2.3) and stunnel mode (up to 3.4.4).
Potential Impact
An attacker capable of intercepting network traffic can exploit this vulnerability to decrypt or tamper with encrypted rsync sessions by presenting invalid TLS certificates. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of data transferred via rsync, potentially exposing sensitive information or allowing unauthorized modification of data without detection by the client.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch links are currently available. Users should monitor RsyncProject advisories for updates and consider avoiding use of affected versions or employing additional network security controls to mitigate on-path interception risks until a fix is released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-04T14:52:23.814Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7ddecabf8831d5395d0057
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 15:12:10 UTC
Last enriched: 08/13/2026, 15:29:39 UTC
Last updated: 08/13/2026, 17:43:31 UTC
Views: 3
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