CVE-2026-35372

Summary

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.

Affected Software

VendorProductVersion RangeStatus
Uutilscoreutils0 < 0.8.0affected

Weaknesses

  • CWE-61: CWE-61: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following

ADP Enrichment

CISA ADP Vulnrichment

  • SSVC:
  • Exploitation: none
    • Automatable: no
    • Technical Impact: partial

References