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GHSA-239g-2685-54x3: install: TOCTOU symlink race (unlink-then-create without O_EXCL) allows arbitrary file overwrite

mediumCVSS 6.3CVE-2026-35355
copy_file in install/src/install.rs removes the destination then recreates it by pathname via File::create / fs::copy without O_EXCL/create_new. Between the unlink and the recreate, a local attacker with write access to the destination directory can drop in a symlink and redirect the write. Impact: when install runs privileged into an attacker-writable directory (staging/build paths), the race allows redirecting writes to arbitrary files and overwriting sensitive system files (/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow). Recommendation: create atomically with create_new/O_EXCL and copy via the opened fd rather than reopening by path. Remediation: Acknowledged by Canonical; fixed in commit b5bbabc1. _Reported by Zellic in the *uutils coreutils Program Security Assessment* (prepared for Canonical, Jan 20 2026), audited commit 3a07ffc5a9bd4c283e75afa548ba1f1957bad242. Finding 3.50. Credit: Zellic._

Details

Source
GitHub Security Advisories (INTL · database · site)
Severity
medium — CVSS 6.3
Published
2026-07-06
Last updated
2026-07-06
Exploitation
Not in CISA KEV at last sync

Original advisory: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-239g-2685-54x3

Exploitation outlook

EPSS (FIRST.org) estimates each CVE’s probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — here is the CSIRTS.com read on those numbers.

Referenced CVEs

CVECSIRTS overviewExternal
CVE-2026-35355coverage & exploitation statusNVD · CVE.org

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