CVE-2026-53784
rsync before 3.5.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows remote clients to access files outside the intended module root when use chroot is disabled and the module root path or a component of it is a symlink.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.24%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
rsync before 3.5.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows remote clients to access files outside the intended module root when use chroot is disabled and the module root path or a component of it is a symlink. The daemon calls chdir() to the module root at session initialization without resolving symlinks via realpath() or equivalent, causing subsequent relative-path operations to reference files relative to the symlink target rather than the intended module root, enabling unauthorized file access.
- CVSS 4.0
- 8.4 HIGHCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/M
- EPSS
- 0.24% probability · 15th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-59
- Affected
- samba/rsync
- Source
- disclosure@vulncheck.com
References
- https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0Product, Release Notes
- https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-ffg2-fr5g-3rxwVendor Advisory
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-path-traversal-via-symlink-module-rootRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.