Description
A logic error in the ln utility of uutils coreutils allows the utility to dereference a symbolic link target even when the --no-dereference (or -n) flag is explicitly provided. The implementation previously only honored the "no-dereference" intent if the --force (overwrite) mode was also enabled. This flaw causes ln to follow a symbolic link that points to a directory and create new links inside that target directory instead of treating the symbolic link itself as the destination. In environments where a privileged user or system script uses ln -n to update a symlink, a local attacker could manipulate existing symbolic links to redirect file creation into sensitive directories, potentially leading to unauthorized file creation or system misconfiguration.
Published: 2026-04-22
Score: 5 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Unauthorized File Creation
Action: Apply Update
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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-wq63-vh5h-pr5p uutils coreutils has a UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following issue
History

Mon, 04 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:uutils:coreutils:*:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Uutils
Uutils coreutils
Vendors & Products Uutils
Uutils coreutils

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A logic error in the ln utility of uutils coreutils allows the utility to dereference a symbolic link target even when the --no-dereference (or -n) flag is explicitly provided. The implementation previously only honored the "no-dereference" intent if the --force (overwrite) mode was also enabled. This flaw causes ln to follow a symbolic link that points to a directory and create new links inside that target directory instead of treating the symbolic link itself as the destination. In environments where a privileged user or system script uses ln -n to update a symlink, a local attacker could manipulate existing symbolic links to redirect file creation into sensitive directories, potentially leading to unauthorized file creation or system misconfiguration.
Title uutils coreutils ln Security Bypass via Improper Handling of the --no-dereference Flag
Weaknesses CWE-61
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}


Subscriptions

Uutils Coreutils
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: canonical

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-22T17:21:15.165Z

Reserved: 2026-04-02T12:58:56.088Z

Link: CVE-2026-35372

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-04-22T17:21:11.399Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-04-22T17:16:41.850

Modified: 2026-05-04T18:49:46.510

Link: CVE-2026-35372

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-27T19:53:32Z

Weaknesses