acl before version 2.4.0 contains a symlink traversal vulnerability in the libacl pathname-based functions acl_get_file(), acl_set_file(), acl_extended_file(), and acl_delete_def_file() that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by replacing any pathname component with a symbolic link. Attackers who control any component of a pathname processed by a privileged caller can redirect ACL read or write operations to arbitrary files or directories, enabling unauthorized manipulation of access control lists and local privilege escalation.
Weakness
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
Potential Mitigations
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/132.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/17.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/35.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/76.html
References
- https://cgit.git.savannah.nongnu.org/cgit/acl.git/commit/?id=24a227d0ab8576612194f8a56c2314389adc74a5
- https://cgit.git.savannah.nongnu.org/cgit/acl.git/commit/?id=3589787cd589b34bdd9265936e17190b6d3f17d1
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/acl-symlink-traversal-privilege-escalation-via-libacl-functions
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-54369
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2490277
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-54369.json