---
title: "CVE-2026-53614: util-linux - Privilege Escalation"
description: "util-linux 2.39.1 through 2.41.4 and 2.42 through 2.42.1 contain a privilege escalation caused by unsafe handling of LIBMOUNT_FORCE_MOUNT2 environment variable in the SUID mount utility, letting local low-privileged users gain root privileges by exploiting a race condition with bind mounts, exploit requires authorized /etc/fstab bind mount with specific options."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-53614/
---

# CVE-2026-53614 util-linux - Privilege Escalation

util-linux 2.39.1 through 2.41.4 and 2.42 through 2.42.1 contain a privilege escalation caused by unsafe handling of LIBMOUNT\_FORCE\_MOUNT2 environment variable in the SUID mount utility, letting local low-privileged users gain root privileges by exploiting a race condition with bind mounts, exploit requires authorized /etc/fstab bind mount with specific options.

CVSS base score 7.0 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Required

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53614)

## Details

Type

Privilege Escalation

Impact

Privilege Escalation

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

14 October 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

Weakness

[CWE-269](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/269.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to versions 2.41.5 or 2.42.2 or later.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53614](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-53614)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.2](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.42.2)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-67r7-8m5w-22wx](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/security/advisories/GHSA-67r7-8m5w-22wx)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/31e37c1c7dcf25b76ccf41391fe934a75644c661](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/31e37c1c7dcf25b76ccf41391fe934a75644c661)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/53ff0fcdab12d69c60c971c69a3d0d173fa46ca9](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/53ff0fcdab12d69c60c971c69a3d0d173fa46ca9)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/9cbfb823500f510b34767edabd3ffd5b436987b4](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/9cbfb823500f510b34767edabd3ffd5b436987b4)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/cc81bbcec598cb91f0eb8456282f33eed820ed5f](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/cc81bbcec598cb91f0eb8456282f33eed820ed5f)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/fd6b4d94ff013dc7ed680d4e864610da5b9751f1](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/commit/fd6b4d94ff013dc7ed680d4e864610da5b9751f1)
- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.5](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/releases/tag/v2.41.5)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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