CVE-2026-53789
rsync < 3.5.0 Arbitrary File Deletion via Malicious File List
CVSS Score
6.5
EPSS Score
0.0%
EPSS Percentile
0th
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 | CWE-807 |
| Vendor | rsyncproject |
| Product | rsync |
| Published | Aug 13, 2026 |
Stay Ahead of the Next One
Get instant alerts for rsyncproject rsync
Be the first to know when new medium vulnerabilities affecting rsyncproject rsync are published — delivered to Slack, Telegram or Discord.
Get Free Alerts →
Free · No credit card · 60 sec setup
CVSS v3 Breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Affected Versions
RsyncProject / rsync
0 ≤ 3.4.4
References
Credits
revampstudio fcasal