CVE-2026-35338

uutils coreutils chmod Path Traversal Bypass of --preserve-root

Published Apr 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.3 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A vulnerability in the chmod utility of uutils coreutils allows users to bypass the --preserve-root safety mechanism. The implementation only validates if the target path is literally / and does not canonicalize the path. An attacker or accidental user can use path variants such as /../ or symbolic links to execute destructive recursive operations (e.g., chmod -R 000) on the entire root filesystem, leading to system-wide permission loss and potential complete system breakdown.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-9gqx-53gp-c8g3 uutils coreutils allows users to bypass the --preserve-root safety mechanism
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-4c7q-4928-8445 chmod: --preserve-root bypassed by any path that resolves to root (e.g. /../)
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Uutils
Uutils coreutils
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:uutils:coreutils:*:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*
Vendors & Products Uutils
Uutils coreutils
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A vulnerability in the chmod utility of uutils coreutils allows users to bypass the --preserve-root safety mechanism. The implementation only validates if the target path is literally / and does not canonicalize the path. An attacker or accidental user can use path variants such as /../ or symbolic links to execute destructive recursive operations (e.g., chmod -R 000) on the entire root filesystem, leading to system-wide permission loss and potential complete system breakdown.
Title uutils coreutils chmod Path Traversal Bypass of --preserve-root
Weaknesses CWE-22
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
canonical
Published
Updated
Apr 24, 2026, 3:55 AM
Reserved
Apr 2, 2026, 12:58 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 22, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 9:10 PM