rsync before 3.5.0 contains a symlink race condition vulnerability that allows local attackers to cause rsync to apply
Affects rsyncSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.2 High · fixed in 3.5.0 : patch rsync soon.
Data as of 13 Nov 2026, 21:41 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 3.5.0
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 13 Aug 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 13 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=jammyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=esm-infra/bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTSrsyncpkg:deb/ubuntu/rsync?arch=source&distro=esm-infra-legacy/xenialOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available in rsync version 3.5.0 and later. Users should upgrade to version 3.5.0 or newer to remediate this vulnerability. Since the vulnerability affects local attackers, restricting local access and applying the patch are the primary mitigations.
Description
A symlink race condition vulnerability exists in rsync versions before 3.5.0. Local attackers can exploit this flaw by substituting a symlink at a predictable destination path between file write and ACL or extended attribute application. This can cause rsync to apply arbitrary ACLs or extended attributes to unintended files, potentially enabling local privilege escalation.