CVE-2026-53612
What it is
util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. In util-linux 2.39 through 2.41.4 and 2.42 through 2.42.1, the SUID `mount` utility's `hook_owner.c` post-mount hook performs path-based `chmod()` and `lchown()` operations on a previously validated mount target. A local low-privileged user authorized by an `/etc/fstab` entry with `user` or `users` and an `X-mount.mode`, `X-mount.owner`, or `X-mount.group` option can use `renameat2(RENAME_EXCHANGE)` to race a writable ancestor of the target and redirect the privileged ownership or mode change to a root-owned path, potentially gaining root privileges. This issue is fixed in 2.41.5 and 2.42.2.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.0 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-367
- Record status
- Awaiting Analysis
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.0
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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-2026-53612.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-53612. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/24da33905c7115c4cbccd0afb2a469804e96467a
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/722c96974dd4009a334e4aee556eedaab5fb94b4
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/897a08c2b11dfa66975c3d24d63c7bf5f5be1a7c
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/d0c5adaeb3a3d823aba1377794de8f009b8152cc
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.5
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.2
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-g8wm-75wr-g2vh
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-g8wm-75wr-g2vh
References
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/24da33905c7115c4cbccd0afb2a469804e96467a
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/722c96974dd4009a334e4aee556eedaab5fb94b4
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/897a08c2b11dfa66975c3d24d63c7bf5f5be1a7c
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/d0c5adaeb3a3d823aba1377794de8f009b8152cc
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.5
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.2
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-g8wm-75wr-g2vh
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-g8wm-75wr-g2vh