Description
systemd-tmpfiles in systemd through 237 mishandles symlinks present in non-terminal path components, which allows local users to obtain ownership of arbitrary files via vectors involving creation of a directory and a file under that directory, and later replacing that directory with a symlink. This occurs even if the fs.protected_symlinks sysctl is turned on.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | systemd | 238-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | systemd | 238-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | systemd | 238-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | systemd | 237-3ubuntu10.9 | USN-3816-2, USN-3816-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | systemd | 229-4ubuntu21.15 | USN-3816-2, USN-3816-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 | systemd | 234-24.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:0137-1 |
| SLES 12 SP4 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
Show 5 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | systemd | 228-150.66.4 | SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | systemd | 249.4-2.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11420-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.0 | systemd +1 | 234-lp150.20.12.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:0098-1 |
Advisories 6
- USN-3816-1 systemd vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-3816-2 systemd vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2019:0098-1 Security update for systemd SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:0137-1 Security update for systemd SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:1265-1 Security update for systemd SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11420-1 libsystemd0-249.4-2.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- USN-3816-2 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/7986
- USN-3816-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2019:1450 vendor-advisory
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210628 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 mailing-list
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210629 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 mailing-list