High [CVE-2026-54369] Symlink traversal privilege escalation via libacl functions

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. A flaw was found in the `acl` package, specifically within its `libacl` pathname-based functions.

Exploitation requires local access with the ability to create symlinks in a directory that a privileged program later processes with acl_get_file() or acl_set_file(). In default RHEL and OpenShift CoreOS configurations, standard file permission settings limit where unprivileged users can create symlinks, reducing the practical attack surface.

Programs that operate on user-supplied paths with elevated privileges are most at risk. Red Hat severity: Important — CVSS 7.1 (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).

Weakness: CWE-59.