CWE-59
AllowedImproper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
1984 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-V898-P95V-MPMF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:30 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:30VIPRE Antivirus Plus TelFileTransfer Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the TelFileTransfer method. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the method to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-19396.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-32178"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T02:15:23Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "VIPRE Antivirus Plus TelFileTransfer Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the TelFileTransfer method. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the method to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-19396.",
"id": "GHSA-v898-p95v-mpmf",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:30:51Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:30:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32178"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.vipre.com/en_US/antivirus-plus-release-notes/home-plus-release-notes-20230530"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-758"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-V8FQ-GCM6-FX7C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:31 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:31guilt 0.27 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a guilt.log.[PID] temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-5207"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-10-04T21:17:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "guilt 0.27 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a guilt.log.[PID] temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-v8fq-gcm6-fx7c",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:31:05Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:31:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-5207"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/36970"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=445308"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/41534"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27076"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25941"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-V966-MF9P-984G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:46 – Updated: 2025-04-12 12:42lib/parse_ini.c in Nagios Plugins 2.0.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a symlink attack on the configuration file in the extra-opts flag. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4701.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-4703"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-12-05T16:59:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "lib/parse_ini.c in Nagios Plugins 2.0.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a symlink attack on the configuration file in the extra-opts flag. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4701.",
"id": "GHSA-v966-mf9p-984g",
"modified": "2025-04-12T12:42:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:46:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4703"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://nagios-plugins.org/nagios-plugins-2-0-3-released"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2014/Jun/141"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/30/6"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76810"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-V99H-Q3GX-W24X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:39 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:39OpenRC opentmpfiles through 0.1.3, when the fs.protected_hardlinks sysctl is turned off, allows local users to obtain ownership of arbitrary files by creating a hard link inside a directory on which "chown -R" will be run.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-18188"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-02-14T20:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "OpenRC opentmpfiles through 0.1.3, when the fs.protected_hardlinks sysctl is turned off, allows local users to obtain ownership of arbitrary files by creating a hard link inside a directory on which \"chown -R\" will be run.",
"id": "GHSA-v99h-q3gx-w24x",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:39:20Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:39:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-18188"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/OpenRC/opentmpfiles/issues/3"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-V9CG-G9VG-XJCH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:44 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:44Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26873"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-269",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-03-11T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-v9cg-g9vg-xjch",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:44:19Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:44:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26873"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-26873"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-283"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-V9PW-W8Q4-WVJX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:23 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:23Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 5.1 and earlier have a symlink vulnerability vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary file system write.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-9682"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-07-17T00:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 5.1 and earlier have a symlink vulnerability vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary file system write.",
"id": "GHSA-v9pw-w8q4-wvjx",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:23:55Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:23:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9682"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb20-33.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-V9VX-4MXW-76J2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-05 15:30 – Updated: 2024-02-05 15:30A path traversal vulnerability was found in the CPIO utility. This issue could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to trick a user into opening a specially crafted archive. During the extraction process, the archiver could follow symlinks outside of the intended directory, which could be utilized to run arbitrary commands on the target system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-7216"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-22",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-02-05T15:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A path traversal vulnerability was found in the CPIO utility. This issue could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to trick a user into opening a specially crafted archive. During the extraction process, the archiver could follow symlinks outside of the intended directory, which could be utilized to run arbitrary commands on the target system.",
"id": "GHSA-v9vx-4mxw-76j2",
"modified": "2024-02-05T15:30:23Z",
"published": "2024-02-05T15:30:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7216"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-7216"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2249901"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-V9X5-MFPJ-JR3H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-07 21:31 – Updated: 2025-10-14 18:30Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in the AWS VPN Client for macOS versions 1.3.2- 5.2.0 allows a local user to execute code with elevated privileges. Insufficient validation checks on the log destination directory during log rotation could allow a non-administrator user to create a symlink from a client log file to a privileged location. On log rotation, this could lead to code execution with root privileges if the user made crafted API calls which injected arbitrary code into the log file. We recommend users upgrade to AWS VPN Client for macOS 5.2.1 or the latest version.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-11462"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-07T20:15:33Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in the AWS VPN Client for macOS versions 1.3.2- 5.2.0 allows a local user to execute code with elevated privileges. Insufficient validation checks on the log destination directory during log rotation could allow a non-administrator user to create a symlink from a client log file to a privileged location. On log rotation, this could lead to code execution with root privileges if the user made crafted API calls which injected arbitrary code into the log file. We recommend users upgrade to AWS VPN Client for macOS 5.2.1 or the latest version.",
"id": "GHSA-v9x5-mfpj-jr3h",
"modified": "2025-10-14T18:30:27Z",
"published": "2025-10-07T21:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11462"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/AWS-2025-020"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://aws.amazon.com/vpn/client-vpn-download"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vpn/latest/clientvpn-user/client-vpn-connect-macos-release-notes.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-VCH4-7X67-5J92
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-30 00:32 – Updated: 2025-11-03 21:34This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iPadOS 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to access protected user data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43220"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-30T00:15:34Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in iPadOS 17.7.9, macOS Sequoia 15.6, macOS Sonoma 14.7.7, macOS Ventura 13.7.7. An app may be able to access protected user data.",
"id": "GHSA-vch4-7x67-5j92",
"modified": "2025-11-03T21:34:14Z",
"published": "2025-07-30T00:32:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43220"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/124148"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/124149"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/124150"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/124151"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/31"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/32"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/33"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jul/34"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-VF4X-P8GP-539H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:32 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:32Website META Language (WML) 2.0.11 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) the /tmp/pe.tmp.$$ temporary file used by wml_contrib/wmg.cgi and (2) temporary files used by wml_backend/p3_eperl/eperl_sys.c.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-0666"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-02-11T21:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "Website META Language (WML) 2.0.11 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) the /tmp/pe.tmp.$$ temporary file used by wml_contrib/wmg.cgi and (2) temporary files used by wml_backend/p3_eperl/eperl_sys.c.",
"id": "GHSA-vf4x-p8gp-539h",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:32:11Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:32:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-0666"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=463907"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/28829"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/28856"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29353"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200803-23.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1492"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:076"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27685"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack
An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.
CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.
CAPEC-76: Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls
An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.