CVE-2022-21658

What it is

Rust is a multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language designed for performance and safety, especially safe concurrency. The Rust Security Response WG was notified that the `std::fs::remove_dir_all` standard library function is vulnerable a race condition enabling symlink following (CWE-363). An attacker could use this security issue to trick a privileged program into deleting files and directories the attacker couldn't otherwise access or delete. Rust 1.0.0 through Rust 1.58.0 is affected by this vulnerability with 1.58.1 containing a patch. Note that the following build targets don't have usable APIs to properly mitigate the attack, and are thus still vulnerable even with a patched toolchain: macOS before version 10.10 (Yosemite) and REDOX. We recommend everyone to update to Rust 1.58.1 as soon as possible, especially people developing programs expected to run in privileged contexts (including system daemons and setuid binaries), as those have the highest risk of being affected by this. Note that adding checks in your codebase before calling remove_dir_all will not mitigate the vulnerability, as they would also be vulnerable to race conditions like remove_dir_all itself. The existing mitigation is working as intended outside of race conditions.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

1.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2022-01-20 18:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 04:26 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.3 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2022-01-20 18:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 04:26 UTC

Exploit probability

1.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-363

Record status

Modified

Affected

• rust-lang Rust ≤ 1.58.0
• Fedoraproject Fedora 34
• Fedoraproject Fedora 35
• Apple Ipados < 15.4
• Apple Iphone Os < 15.4
• Apple macOS < 12.3
• Apple Tvos < 15.4
• Apple Watchos < 8.5

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.3

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2022-21658.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2022-21658. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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