CVE-2026-53789: rsyncproject rsync

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-53789 is a high (CVSS 8.1) vulnerability in rsyncproject rsync. EPSS estimates a 0.36% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 27.9% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 13-08-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 15-08-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

rsync before 3.5.0 contains an improper path handling vulnerability that allows a malicious sender to expand the scope of --delete operations beyond the intended destination subtree by sending a crafted file list that causes rsync to reclassify implied parent directory entries or treat synthetic paths as the transfer root. Attackers can exploit multiple variants including implied parent reclassification, synthetic root path construction, legacy protocol behavior below version 30, and non-directory root handling to cause the receiver to delete files outside the authorized destination directory.

• CWE-807Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security DecisionThe product uses a protection mechanism that relies on the existence or values of an input, but the input can be modified by an untrusted actor in a way that bypasses the protection mechanism.