CVE-2026-71313 rclone CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for managing and securing file synchronization with cloud storage providers using rclone should assess exposure and verify the version of rclone in use. This includes operators, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams who need to ensure that rclone configurations are secure and up-to-date to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability. Prioritization should be given to environments where rclone is 1

Why it matters

The CVE-2026-71313 vulnerability in rclone allows an attacker to create or overwrite files outside the selected destination directory. Defenders should prioritize verifying and updating rclone to version 1.75.0 or later, especially in environments where rclone is used to sync files with cloud storage providers. The vulnerability requires specific configuration settings and an attacker-controlled source object to be exploited. The impact is limited to the scope of the rclone process and the configured local root directory.

• An attacker could create or overwrite files outside the intended destination directory, potentially leading to unauthorized data modifications or additions.
• Defenders need to verify and update rclone to version 1.75.0 or later to prevent exploitation.
• The vulnerability requires an attacker-controlled source object and specific configuration settings to be exploited.
• The impact is limited to the scope of the rclone process and the configured local root directory.

Technical summary

The local backend in rclone versions between 1.51.0 and 1.75.0 has a vulnerability that allows an attacker-controlled source object to create or overwrite files outside the selected destination directory. This issue arises from the reliance on the configurable filename encoder to prevent remote filename data from becoming operating-system path syntax. A local destination using Slash, None, Raw, or on Windows an encoding that preserves backslash can decode a standard-encoded fullwidth dot-dot component or native backslash form into an actual parent-directory component before filepath.Join resolves it outside the configured local root. As a result, an attacker could potentially create or overwrite files outside 1

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying and updating rclone to version 1.75.0 or later, especially in environments where rclone is used to sync files with cloud storage providers.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify and update rclone to version 1.75.0 or later
• Review and restrict rclone configurations to prevent unintended file operations
• Monitor rclone usage and file system changes for suspicious activity
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.
• Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
• Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed.
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability in rclone versions between 1.51.0 and 1.75.0. The issue is fixed in version 1.75.0. Evidence from the CVE Program and NVD suggests that defenders should verify the version of rclone in use and update to version 1.75.0 or later to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability requires specific configuration settings and an attacker-controlled source object to be exploited. The impact is limited to the scope of the rclone process and the configured local root directory. To The

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.