---
id: CVE-2026-53613
title: util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities
summary: >-
  util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. In util-linux 2.17
  through 2.41.6 and 2.42 through 2.42.3, and in 2.42.4 when the legacy
  `mount(2)` path is used without `/proc`, restricted non-root `mount` requests
  validate an `/et…
severity: high
cvss: 7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-367
vendor: util-linux
product: util-linux
affected:
  - 'util-linux >= 2.17, <= 2.41.6'
  - 'util-linux >= 2.42, <= 2.42.4'
published: '2026-10-14'
updated: '2026-10-15'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-15T16:18:12.987'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53613'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/0b010025a0e429bc80355c94db86a843395d49e2
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/0d3d55975aa3492c62fd345eac38f41cd166c0b0
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/2c773f336134acf016e639abb6f12ba7341fe4b8
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/39fef62bf3226abb6bb018fa8750afa0327e84b4
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/472cc3fb2d4d47cca7aab2e0b59eb3fb8a9359ec
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/646fb66603d10a7ac337e14f566f1af48e3107c9
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/708d1b3c51932dc5ba8082c7368187715e6a8d78
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/78a860982e036f38fe9c0b3344998df5ac2c2ff5
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/85d16b341f7232c9dbb4884b632e1e956584bee9
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/a9508d216eb8977979102782672e0470cc9bf2a2
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.5'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.2'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: 'https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.4'
    label: security-advisories@github.com
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-8gj5-72r3-428g
    label: security-advisories@github.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - exploit-available
  - cve.org
exploits:
  github: 1
  githubRepos:
    - 'https://github.com/mohamedjawady/CVE-2026-53613-poc'
  checkedAt: '2026-10-15T17:18:54.570Z'
exploitAvailable: true
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-10-15T13:11:45.430649Z'
ingestedAt: '2026-10-14T15:36:14.020Z'
---

## Overview

util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. In util-linux 2.17 through 2.41.6 and 2.42 through 2.42.3, and in 2.42.4 when the legacy `mount(2)` path is used without `/proc`, restricted non-root `mount` requests validate an `/etc/fstab` target before the mount operation re-resolves that pathname. A local low-privileged user authorized by an fstab `user` or `users` entry whose target has an attacker-writable ancestor can use `renameat2(RENAME_EXCHANGE)` to swap a path component and redirect an authorized mount to a root-owned location, such as mounting attacker-controlled content over `/etc/sudoers.d`, and thereby gain root privileges. Versions 2.41.5 and 2.42.2 pin targets for the new mount API, and 2.42.4 pins legacy targets through `/proc/self/fd`; the documented legacy fallback without `/proc` remains affected.

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.