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.
Affected products
uutils: coreutils
References2
- github.com/uutils/coreutils/pull/11253 Issue TrackingPatch
- github.com/uutils/coreutils/releases/tag/0.8.0 Release Notes
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
5.0
MEDIUM
Score source: CNA
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - EPSS — exploit probability
- 0% percentile: 3 · as of 13 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-61
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