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.
History

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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


Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:30:00 +0000

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'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: canonical

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-22T17:19:14.972Z

Reserved: 2026-04-02T12:58:56.088Z

Link: CVE-2026-35374

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-04-22T17:19:11.805Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-04-22T17:16:42.127

Modified: 2026-04-22T21:23:52.620

Link: CVE-2026-35374

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-22T18:15:15Z