CVE-2017-15357: The setpermissions function in the auto-updater in Arq before 5.9.7 for Mac allows local users to gain root pr

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-15357?

arq: upgrade to 5.9.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-15357 being exploited?

CVE-2017-15357 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-15357 affect?

CVE-2017-15357 affects arq. Severity is high (CVSS 7.4). The setpermissions function in the auto-updater in Arq before 5.9.7 for Mac allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the updater binary itself.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-15357?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.4UPGRADE

CVE-2017-15357 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.4) affecting arq. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The setpermissions function in the auto-updater in Arq before 5.9.7 for Mac allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the updater binary itself.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.4 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59, CWE-362
Published	2017-12-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: arqbackup

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-12-01 17:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

arqbackup arq UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.9.7

Fixed in: 5.9.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy arq || rpm -q arq || arq --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.9.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade arq

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade arq

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Arq 5.9.6 - Local Privilege Escalation

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-15357?

arq: upgrade to 5.9.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-15357 being exploited?

CVE-2017-15357 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-15357 affect?

CVE-2017-15357 affects arq. Severity is high (CVSS 7.4). The setpermissions function in the auto-updater in Arq before 5.9.7 for Mac allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the updater binary itself.

How urgent is CVE-2017-15357?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-16945 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE The standardrestorer binary in Arq 5.10 and earlier for Mac allows local users to write to arbitrary files and
CVE-2017-16928 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE The arq_updater binary in Arq 5.10 and earlier for Mac allows local users to write to arbitrary files and cons
CVE-2017-16895 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE The (1) arq_updater, (2) arqcommitter, (3) standardrestorer, (4) arqglacierrestorer, and (5) arqs3glacierresto

References

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