`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._
Update uu_install to 0.6.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scaninstall: TOCTOU symlink race (unlink-then-create without O_EXCL) allows arbitrary file overwrite affects uu_install (rust). Severity is medium. `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._
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in rust. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package |
|---|
`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._
Update uu_install to 0.6.0 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.
Local check
hol-guard supply-chain scaninstall: TOCTOU symlink race (unlink-then-create without O_EXCL) allows arbitrary file overwrite affects uu_install (rust). Severity is medium. `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._
AI coding agents often install or upgrade packages automatically in rust. A medium vulnerability in a dependency can be pulled into a project through a normal install or update without a human reviewing the change, expanding the blast radius from a single package to every agent workspace that depends on it.
| Package |
|---|
| Affected range |
|---|
| Fixed version |
|---|
| uu_installrust | <0.6.0 | 0.6.0 |
|---|
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard| Affected range |
|---|
| Fixed version |
|---|
| uu_installrust | <0.6.0 | 0.6.0 |
|---|
Fixed versions are reported by the source feed; confirm compatibility before updating.
Reported by GitHub Security Advisories (ghsa).
HOL Guard can help your team review package activity against supported protection paths.
Explore HOL Guard