Description
attr before version 2.6.0 contains a symlink traversal vulnerability in the getfattr and setfattr utilities that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by replacing a pathname component with a symbolic link during directory hierarchy traversal. Attackers who control a pathname component can redirect getfattr and setfattr operations to arbitrary files by substituting a symlink, leading to local privilege escalation when getfattr or setfattr is invoked by a privileged process over an attacker-controlled path.
Problem types
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Product status
Any version before 2.6.0
Credits
Andrew Tridgell
Andreas Gruenbacher
References
access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-54371
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2490283 (RHBZ#2490283)
security.access.redhat.com/...2/vex/2026/cve-2026-54371.json
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:34889
cgit.git.savannah.nongnu.org/...446edf4b5eb1a2d892281f15a99b
cgit.git.savannah.nongnu.org/...f06940b9100fa638f85dddc4aa7f
www.vulncheck.com/...vilege-escalation-via-getfattr-setfattr