CVE-2026-53613
util-linux mount target TOCTOU allows local privilege escalation
- Published
- Oct 14, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 15, 2026
- Assigning CNA
- GitHub_M
- Evidence observed
- Aug 27, 2026
Primary CVSS
nvd · CVSS 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. In util-linux 2.17 through 2.41.6 and 2.42 through 2.42.3, and in 2.42.4 when the legacy `mount(2)` path is used without `/proc`, restricted non-root `mount` requests validate an `/etc/fstab` target before the mount operation re-resolves that pathname. A local low-privileged user authorized by an fstab `user` or `users` entry whose target has an attacker-writable ancestor can use `renameat2(RENAME_EXCHANGE)` to swap a path component and redirect an authorized mount to a root-owned location, such as mounting attacker-controlled content over `/etc/sudoers.d`, and thereby gain root privileges. Versions 2.41.5 and 2.42.2 pin targets for the new mount API, and 2.42.4 pins legacy targets through `/proc/self/fd`; the documented legacy fallback without `/proc` remains affected.
Sources
Proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2026-53613, a TOCTOU vulnerability in mount(8) enabling local privilege escalation to root via symlink race.
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