# CVE-2026-54572: Rclone improper link resolution in local destination sync

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-54572-rclone-improper-link-resolution-in-local-destination-sync  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-14. Updated: 2026-08-05  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-54572 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-07-14

rclone, a popular command-line tool for managing files on cloud storage, is vulnerable to a security flaw when using the '--links' feature. An attacker who controls a remote storage location can trick rclone into creating malicious shortcuts (symlinks) on a user's computer. This allows the attacker to overwrite sensitive system files, potentially leading to full unauthorized access or control over the victim's machine.

Technologies: [github.com/rclone/rclone (Go)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/github-com-rclone-rclone), [Rclone](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/rclone). Vendors: [Go](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/go), [Rclone](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/rclone).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-54572 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-54572 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-54572?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 14 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** github.com/rclone/rclone (Go) <= 1.74.3, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=1.74.4; Rclone < 1.74.4, <= 1.74.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-54572?** Yes. github.com/rclone/rclone (Go): upgrade to 1.74.4 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-54572 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-54572?** Check whether you run github.com/rclone/rclone (Go) or Rclone at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- github.com/rclone/rclone (Go): upgrade to 1.74.4 or later

  ```sh
  go get github.com/rclone/rclone@v1.74.4
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in rclone's local backend (backend/local/local.go) within the Object.Update() function. When the -l/--links flag is used, rclone serializes symlinks as .rclonelink files but fails to validate the link target when recreating them at the destination. An attacker controlling a remote source can provide a symlink target containing absolute paths or directory traversal sequences (../). Because rclone processes these objects in a specific order and follows existing symlinks during subsequent file writes without using O_NOFOLLOW, it can be coerced into writing files outside the intended destination directory. This can result in arbitrary file overwrite and remote code execution if sensitive files like ~/.ssh/authorized_keys are targeted. The issue is fixed in version 1.74.4.

## Affected products

- rclone rclone <= 1.74.3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-54572
- GHSA-cf44-9pgv-m4xc
- GO-2026-6191

## Timeline

- 2026-07-08: disclosed
- 2026-07-14: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-08-05: patched: GitHub Advisory published/updated date

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt](https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt)
- [https://github.com/vnth4nhnt](https://github.com/vnth4nhnt)
- [https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/repos](https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/159286161?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/159286161?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/vnth4nhnt/events%7B/privacy%7D)

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- [Rclone B2 backend credential exposure on HTTP redirects](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116196-rclone-before-v1-75-2-contains-a-credential-exposure)
- [Rclone path traversal in translateLink function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116195-rclone-before-1-75-2-contains-a-path-traversal-vulnerability-in)
- [Rclone cross-site request forgery in pCloud OAuth callback](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116194-rclone-from-1-52-0-before-1-75-2-contains-a-cross-site-request)
- [Rclone serve webdav authentication bypass via OPTIONS requests](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116193-rclone-from-1-64-0-before-1-75-2-contains-an-authentication)
- [rclone server-side request forgery via --rc-serve scheme-relative roots](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-116192-rclone-from-1-37-before-1-74-2-contains-a-server-side-request)