CVE-2026-78409
What it is
The X-mount.subdir option uses a detached-tree fast path on Linux 6.15 and later and passes the configured subdirectory to open_tree() with AT_SYMLINK_NOFOLLOW. That flag does not stop intermediate symlink traversal or keep resolution inside the newly mounted filesystem. A local unprivileged user with an fstab-authorized X-mount.subdir entry can attach a host path at the intended mountpoint.
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
- 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-59
- 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-2026-78409.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-78409. 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/security/advisories/GHSA-8f2p-47x3-43mv
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-8f2p-47x3-43mv
References
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:63162
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-78409
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2522607
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-8f2p-47x3-43mv
- https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-8f2p-47x3-43mv