Vulnerability · Published Aug 13, 2026 · Assigned by VulnCheck
CVE-2026-53802rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Read via Symlink Following
High 7.1
In plain English
A high-severity security flaw in rsync from RsyncProject. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 15% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.
Official 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.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux:10 | rsync | 3.5.0-3.el10_2 | ALSA-2026:67463 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | rsync | 3.1.3-28.el8_10 | ALSA-2026:74095 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | rsync | 3.2.7-1.el9_8 | ALSA-2026:67462 |
| AlmaLinux:10 | rsync-daemon | 3.5.0-3.el10_2 | ALSA-2026:67463 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | rsync-daemon | 3.1.3-28.el8_10 | ALSA-2026:74095 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | rsync-daemon | 3.2.7-1.el9_8 | ALSA-2026:67462 |
| AlmaLinux:10 | rsync-rrsync | 3.5.0-3.el10_2 | ALSA-2026:67463 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | rsync-rrsync | 3.2.7-1.el9_8 | ALSA-2026:67462 |
| Alpine:v3.21 | rsync | 3.5.0-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Alpine:v3.22 | rsync | 3.5.0-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Alpine:v3.23 | rsync | 3.5.0-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Alpine:v3.24 | rsync | 3.5.0-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Debian:12 | rsync | no fix listed | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Debian:13 | rsync | 3.5.0+ds1-0+deb13u1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Debian:14 | rsync | 3.5.0+ds1-1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Rocky Linux:10 | rsync | 0:3.5.0-3.el10_2 | RLSA-2026:67463 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | rsync | 0:3.1.3-28.el8_10 | RLSA-2026:74095 |
| Rocky Linux:9 | rsync | 0:3.2.7-1.el9_8 | RLSA-2026:67462 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | rsync | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | rsync | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Ubuntu:26.04:LTS | rsync | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53802 |
| Ubuntu:26.10 | rsync | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2026-53802 |
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| RsyncProject | rsync | 0 – through 3.4.4 |
Weakness: CWE-61 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4) vendor-advisory
- rsync 3.5.0 Release Notes release-notes
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-read-via-symlink-following third-party-advisory