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.
Fix
Patch, vendor advisory and mitigation references on NVD 1
- https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/pull/11253 Issue Tracking, Patch
Every line above is quoted from NVD, CISA, Microsoft, the vendor's own advisory or DISA; nothing is generated.
Change history 1
- First seenCVSS 5.0 · uutilsNVD modified 2026-10-26 21:10
Affected (CPE criteria) 1
cpe:2.3:a:uutils:coreutils:*:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*
References 2
- https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/pull/11253 Issue Tracking, Patch
- https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/releases/tag/0.8.0 Release Notes