Local file disclosure via symlink swap
Published Apr 22, 2026 · Updated Apr 22, 2026
TOCTOU link following in uutils coreutils cp allows local users to disclose sensitive files through a concurrent source-path swap. The utility checks path-based metadata for a symbolic link, then opens the same path without O_NOFOLLOW, allowing replacement between operations. Exploitation requires write access to the source tree, a more-privileged cp process, and an attacker-readable destination for the copied data.
Summary
What happened
TOCTOU link following in uutils coreutils cp allows local users to disclose sensitive files through a concurrent source-path swap. The utility checks path-based metadata for a symbolic link, then opens the same path without O_NOFOLLOW, allowing replacement between operations. Exploitation requires write access to the source tree, a more-privileged cp process, and an attacker-readable destination for the copied data.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-35359
- Published
- Apr 22, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 22, 2026
- Vendor
- uutils
- Product
- coreutils
- Classifications
- CWE-59, CWE-367, T1005
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 22, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 22, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Upstream cp symlink-swap reproductionproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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