SELinux label manipulation via fixfiles symlink race
Published Aug 7, 2026 · Updated Aug 7, 2026
A TOCTOU race in policycoreutils fixfiles on affected Red Hat platforms allows local users to alter labels on arbitrary system files. The script passes pathnames found under /tmp and related directories to chcon, which re-resolves them after discovery and follows attacker-swapped symlink components. Exploitation requires local access, winning the race, and an administrator concurrently running fixfiles relabel or fixfiles restore; successful exploitation undermines SELinux controls on critical files.
Summary
What happened
A TOCTOU race in policycoreutils fixfiles on affected Red Hat platforms allows local users to alter labels on arbitrary system files. The script passes pathnames found under /tmp and related directories to chcon, which re-resolves them after discovery and follows attacker-swapped symlink components. Exploitation requires local access, winning the race, and an administrator concurrently running fixfiles relabel or fixfiles restore; successful exploitation undermines SELinux controls on critical files.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-19079
- Published
- Aug 7, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 7, 2026
- Vendor
- 389 Directory Server
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Classifications
- CWE-367, T1222.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 7, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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