CVE-2026-54371
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.
CSIRTS triage
- What
- A symlink traversal vulnerability allows privilege escalation via getfattr/setfattr.
- Who is affected
- Users of attr versions below 2.6.0 are affected.
- Urgency
- Remediation is high urgency due to the potential for privilege escalation.
- Action
- Upgrade to attr version 2.6.0 or later.
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.14% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 3% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (2)
External references
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