CVE-2026-35349

uutils coreutils Path-Based Safety Bypass with --preserve-root

Published Apr 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.7 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A vulnerability in the rm utility of uutils coreutils allows a bypass of the --preserve-root protection. The implementation uses a path-string check rather than comparing device and inode numbers to identify the root directory. An attacker or accidental user can bypass this safeguard by using a symbolic link that resolves to the root directory (e.g., /tmp/rootlink -> /), potentially leading to the unintended recursive deletion of the entire root filesystem.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-v762-x3cf-5mfg uutils coreutils has a Link Following Issue Via rm Utility
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-7cr3-h577-g38j rm: --preserve-root bypassed via a symlink to / (string check instead of dev/inode)
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': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A vulnerability in the rm utility of uutils coreutils allows a bypass of the --preserve-root protection. The implementation uses a path-string check rather than comparing device and inode numbers to identify the root directory. An attacker or accidental user can bypass this safeguard by using a symbolic link that resolves to the root directory (e.g., /tmp/rootlink -> /), potentially leading to the unintended recursive deletion of the entire root filesystem.
Title uutils coreutils Path-Based Safety Bypass with --preserve-root
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
canonical
Published
Updated
Apr 22, 2026, 6:05 PM
Reserved
Apr 2, 2026, 12:58 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 22, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 9:10 PM