High severity · published Aug 13, 2026
CVE-2026-53802
rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Read via Symlink Following
7.1
CVSS
0.2%
EPSS
No
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.2% · higher than 15% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
RS
rsync · RsyncProject
through 3.4.4 · source: vendor, NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53802
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-53802
Product
https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.5.0
Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4mfr-8jrv-49x4
Release Notes
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-arbitrary-file-read-via-symlink-following
More from rsync
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rsync < 3.5.0 Daemon IP Spoofing via PROXY Protocol Header
8.2
CVE-2026-70456
rsync 3.0.1 < 3.5.0 Heap Out-of-Bounds Write via read_args()
8.2
CVE-2026-70457
rsync 3.2.3 < 3.5.0 Out-of-Bounds Write via parse_size_arg()
8.2
CVE-2026-70458
rsync 3.0.0 < 3.5.0 Out-of-Bounds Write via FLAG_HLINKED Handling
8.2
CVE-2026-70461
rsync 3.2.5 < 3.5.0 Heap Out-of-Bounds Write via files-from Entry
