CVE-2026-53612
MEDIUMDescription
util-linux is a random collection of Linux utilities. In util-linux 2.39 through 2.41.4 and 2.42 through 2.42.1, the SUID `mount` utility's `hook_owner.c` post-mount hook performs path-based `chmod()` and `lchown()` operations on a previously validated mount target. A local low-privileged user authorized by an `/etc/fstab` entry with `user` or `users` and an `X-mount.mode`, `X-mount.owner`, or `X-mount.group` option can use `renameat2(RENAME_EXCHANGE)` to race a writable ancestor of the target and redirect the privileged ownership or mode change to a root-owned path, potentially gaining root privileges. This issue is fixed in 2.41.5 and 2.42.2.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U
Exploit Intelligence
Low risk: more likely to be exploited than 1% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-367 (TOCTOU Race Condition) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2022-36980 | High | 8.1 | 82% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2024-30088 | High | 7.0 | 68% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2004-0594 | Medium | 5.1 | 55% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2025-34027 | Critical | 9.0 | 46% | - | - |
| CVE-2024-0132 | Critical | 9.0 | 41% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2023-38146 | High | 8.8 | 37% | - | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2026-53612?
Published advisories record a fix for 2 affected products. The "How to fix" section on this page lists the fixed version and source advisory for each one, so apply the entry matching what you actually run.
Is CVE-2026-53612 being actively exploited?
Not that we know of. CVE-2026-53612 is not in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Its EPSS score of 0.11% is the estimated probability that it will be exploited in the next 30 days. That is higher than 1% of all scored CVEs.
How severe is CVE-2026-53612?
CVE-2026-53612 has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.0, rated moderate. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2026-53612 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for util-linux (Debian), util-linux (Ubuntu). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
Embed a live status badge for CVE-2026-53612
Markdown
[](https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2026-53612)HTML
<a href="https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2026-53612"><img src="https://tridentstack.com/cve/badge/CVE-2026-53612.svg" alt="CVE-2026-53612"></a>Check your Linux endpoints for this class of vulnerability
TridentStack Control continuously scans Linux endpoints for known vulnerabilities and deploys the fixes from the same console. 200 endpoints free forever, no credit card.
This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-10-16.