RsyncProject rsync up to 3.4.9 Symlink make_path path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in RsyncProject rsync up to 3.4.9. Affected by this issue is the function make_path of the component Symlink Handler. Performing a manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-53785. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in RsyncProject rsync up to 3.4.9. This affects the function make_path of the component Symlink Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

rsync before 3.5.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows a malicious sender to write files outside the intended destination directory tree by crafting relative paths with symlink components in --relative mode. The make_path() function follows symlinks pointing outside the destination tree while creating intermediate directories without verifying that created paths remain within the destination boundary, enabling arbitrary file writes on the receiver's filesystem.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-53785 since 06/10/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 337988 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : rsync (SUSE-SU-2026:3634-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.5.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (337988) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-2817). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Open Source Rsync

Productinfo

Type

• File Transfer Software

Vendor

• RsyncProject

Name

• rsync

Version

• 3.4.0
• 3.4.1
• 3.4.2
• 3.4.3
• 3.4.4
• 3.4.5
• 3.4.6
• 3.4.7
• 3.4.8
• 3.4.9

Website

• Product: https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/

CPE 2.3info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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