# CVE-2026-35372: uutils coreutils has a UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following issue

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35372-uutils-coreutils-has-a-unix-symbolic-link-symlink-following-issue  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-22  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-35372 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5 · Published 2026-04-22

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.

Technologies: [coreutils (crates.io)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/crates-io-coreutils), [Uutils Coreutils](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/uutils-coreutils). Vendors: [crates.io](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/crates-io), [Uutils](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/uutils).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-35372 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-35372 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-35372?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5, published 22 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** coreutils (crates.io) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=0.8.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-35372?** Yes. coreutils (crates.io): upgrade to 0.8.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-35372?** Check whether you run coreutils (crates.io) or Uutils Coreutils at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- coreutils (crates.io): upgrade to 0.8.0 or later

  ```sh
  cargo update -p coreutils
  ```


## Affected products

- coreutils (crates.io) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=0.8.0
- Uutils Coreutils

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-35372
- GHSA-wq63-vh5h-pr5p

## Related threats

- [uutils coreutils Incorrect Provision of Specified Functionality in cut](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35381-uutils-coreutils-incorrect-provision-of-specified-functionality)
- [uutils coreutils has an Improper Input Validation Issue in its cut Utility](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35380-uutils-coreutils-has-an-improper-input-validation-issue-in-its)
- [A logic error in the tr utility of uutils coreutils causes the program to incorrectly define the [:graph:] and [:print:] character classes.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35379-uutils-coreutils-has-an-incorrect-provision-of-specified)
- [uutils coreutils has an Incorrect Short Circuit Evaluation Issue](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35378-uutils-coreutils-has-an-incorrect-short-circuit-evaluation-issue)
- [uutils coreutils has an Improper Input Validation Issue in its env Utility](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35377-uutils-coreutils-has-an-improper-input-validation-issue-in-its)