# CVE-2026-91202: Cockpit-files: cockpit-files: arbitrary file ownership change via symlink following in privileged paste

Status: published. Published: 2026-09-18. Updated: 2026-11-06.

A flaw was found in cockpit-files. A low-privileged local user can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a directory containing a symbolic link (symlink) and then using the privileged "Paste as owner" function. This allows for arbitrary file ownership changes outside the intended pasted directory, leading to a compromise of data integrity. In some cases, this could also lead to reduced confidentiality if the new ownership grants unauthorized read access. Exploitation requires user interaction to select a non-original owner during the paste operation.

## Remediation

- workaround: A workaround is available for this issue: avoid using the privileged "Paste as owner" option in cockpit-files when pasting copied directory trees that may contain symlinks. If a privileged paste is required, keep the owner selection at "original", which skips the recursive chown code path entirely and prevents ownership changes from following symlinks to files outside the pasted directory. Once updated cockpit-files packages containing the fix are available for the affected streams, installing them resolves the issue. (source: CNA: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (cockpit-files): ≥ 0:36.1-1.el10_2; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (cockpit-files): ≥ 0:36.1-1.el9_8; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 6.1 (medium); CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 0.13% as of 2026-11-05; percentile 2.29%

- SSVC: exploitation none; automatable no; technical impact partial; source ADP: CISA-ADP

- Weaknesses: CWE-61

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:84595 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:95570 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-91202 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2465834 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-91202; retrieved 2026-11-06; source updated 2026-11-06

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-91202; retrieved 2026-11-06; source updated Not reported

Revision: b4caa373f68d3f19d1c982311890a4c457720a82985c52f3630c482999b75203

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-91202

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