CVE-2026-35374

uutils coreutils split Arbitrary File Truncation via Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition

Published Apr 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerability exists in the split utility of uutils coreutils. The program attempts to prevent data loss by checking for identity between input and output files using their file paths before initiating the split operation. However, the utility subsequently opens the output file with truncation after this path-based validation is complete. A local attacker with write access to the directory can exploit this race window by manipulating mutable path components (e.g., swapping a path with a symbolic link). This can cause split to truncate and write to an unintended target file, potentially including the input file itself or other sensitive files accessible to the process, leading to permanent data loss.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-4wrp-79m8-9m9p uutils coreutils has a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9041-1 uutils coreutils vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:uutils:coreutils:-:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Uutils
Uutils coreutils
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 Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerability exists in the split utility of uutils coreutils. The program attempts to prevent data loss by checking for identity between input and output files using their file paths before initiating the split operation. However, the utility subsequently opens the output file with truncation after this path-based validation is complete. A local attacker with write access to the directory can exploit this race window by manipulating mutable path components (e.g., swapping a path with a symbolic link). This can cause split to truncate and write to an unintended target file, potentially including the input file itself or other sensitive files accessible to the process, leading to permanent data loss.
Title uutils coreutils split Arbitrary File Truncation via Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
Weaknesses CWE-367
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
canonical
Published
Updated
Apr 22, 2026, 5:19 PM
Reserved
Apr 2, 2026, 12:58 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 22, 2026, 5:16 PM
Modified
Oct 26, 2026, 9:10 PM