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.
1987 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-3G56-2HH3-35PH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:54 – Updated: 2024-10-27 15:34sosreport in SoS 3.x allows local users to obtain sensitive information from sosreport files or gain privileges via a symlink attack on an archive file in a temporary directory, as demonstrated by sosreport-$hostname-$date.tar in /tmp/sosreport-$hostname-$date.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "sosreport"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "3.0"
},
{
"fixed": "3.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-7529"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2023-08-02T22:03:33Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2017-11-06T17:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "sosreport in SoS 3.x allows local users to obtain sensitive information from sosreport files or gain privileges via a symlink attack on an archive file in a temporary directory, as demonstrated by `sosreport-$hostname-$date.tar` in `/tmp/sosreport-$hostname-$date`.",
"id": "GHSA-3g56-2hh3-35ph",
"modified": "2024-10-27T15:34:11Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:54:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-7529"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/sosreport/sos/issues/696"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:0152"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016:0188"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2015-7529"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1282542"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/sosreport/PYSEC-2017-73.yaml"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/sosreport/sos"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20160416033632/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/83162"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0152.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0188.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2845-1"
}
],
"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:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "SoSReport Predictable Tmp File Names"
}
GHSA-3H59-4588-8C38
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-03 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-03 18:30Aquarius Desktop 3.0.069 for macOS contains an insecure file handling vulnerability in its support data archive generation feature. The application follows symbolic links placed inside the ~/Library/Logs/Aquarius directory and treats them as regular files. When building the support ZIP, Aquarius recursively enumerates logs using a JUCE directory iterator configured to follow symlinks, and later writes file data without validating whether the target is a symbolic link. A local attacker can exploit this behavior by planting symlinks to arbitrary filesystem locations, resulting in unauthorized disclosure or modification of arbitrary files. When chained with the associated HelperTool privilege escalation issue, root-owned files may also be exposed.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-65843"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-03T17:15:54Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Aquarius Desktop 3.0.069 for macOS contains an insecure file handling vulnerability in its support data archive generation feature. The application follows symbolic links placed inside the ~/Library/Logs/Aquarius directory and treats them as regular files. When building the support ZIP, Aquarius recursively enumerates logs using a JUCE directory iterator configured to follow symlinks, and later writes file data without validating whether the target is a symbolic link. A local attacker can exploit this behavior by planting symlinks to arbitrary filesystem locations, resulting in unauthorized disclosure or modification of arbitrary files. When chained with the associated HelperTool privilege escalation issue, root-owned files may also be exposed.",
"id": "GHSA-3h59-4588-8c38",
"modified": "2025-12-03T18:30:26Z",
"published": "2025-12-03T18:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-65843"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://almightysec.com/insecure-file-handling-via-symlink"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-3H67-9PVC-GVV9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53updatejail in jailer 0.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/#####.updatejail temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5139"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "updatejail in jailer 0.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/#####.updatejail temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-3h67-9pvc-gvv9",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5139"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00285.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32943"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32959"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1674"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32413"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-3HQ9-J8X9-925R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 03:43 – Updated: 2022-05-02 03:43GForge 4.5.14, 4.7 rc2, and 4.8.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on authorized_keys files in users' home directories, related to deb-specific/ssh_dump_update.pl and cronjobs/cvs-cron/ssh_create.php.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2009-3304"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2009-12-04T19:30:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "GForge 4.5.14, 4.7 rc2, and 4.8.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on authorized_keys files in users\u0027 home directories, related to deb-specific/ssh_dump_update.pl and cronjobs/cvs-cron/ssh_create.php.",
"id": "GHSA-3hq9-j8x9-925r",
"modified": "2022-05-02T03:43:50Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T03:43:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3304"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.debian.org/pool/updates/main/g/gforge/gforge_4.5.14-22etch13.diff.gz"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1945"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/37195"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-3HQR-6848-JX5J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-23 03:31 – Updated: 2024-11-23 03:31Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. 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 Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-22806.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-7228"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T22:15:15Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Avast Free Antivirus Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. 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 Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-22806.",
"id": "GHSA-3hqr-6848-jx5j",
"modified": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"published": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-7228"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-999"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-3J2X-69WR-XW23
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-06 06:30 – Updated: 2023-09-06 06:30Wacom Drivers for Windows Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Wacom Drivers for Windows. 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 Tablet Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-16857.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-32163"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-06T05:15:42Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wacom Drivers for Windows Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Wacom Drivers for Windows. 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 Tablet Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-16857.",
"id": "GHSA-3j2x-69wr-xw23",
"modified": "2023-09-06T06:30:25Z",
"published": "2023-09-06T06:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32163"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-742"
}
],
"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-3J7C-23M3-57JJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-27 00:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 08:57Due to incorrect access control, unauthenticated remote attackers can view the /video.mjpg video stream of certain ABUS TVIP cameras.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-17559"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-284",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-10-26T22:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Due to incorrect access control, unauthenticated remote attackers can view the /video.mjpg video stream of certain ABUS TVIP cameras.",
"id": "GHSA-3j7c-23m3-57jj",
"modified": "2024-04-04T08:57:10Z",
"published": "2023-10-27T00:30:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-17559"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.maride.cc/posts/abus/#cve-2018-17559"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ccc.de/en/updates/2019/update-nicht-verfugbar-hersteller-nicht-zu-erreichen"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-3J95-64VV-272J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:45 – Updated: 2024-04-04 03:05OpenVPN Connect installer for macOS version 3.2.6 and older may corrupt system critical files it should not have access via symlinks in /tmp.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-15075"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59",
"CWE-61"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-03-30T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "OpenVPN Connect installer for macOS version 3.2.6 and older may corrupt system critical files it should not have access via symlinks in /tmp.",
"id": "GHSA-3j95-64vv-272j",
"modified": "2024-04-04T03:05:37Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:45:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15075"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://openvpn.net/vpn-server-resources/openvpn-connect-for-macos-change-log"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-3JHC-WJQF-5F2C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:35 – Updated: 2024-11-18 23:01virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "virtualenv"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.5"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2011-4617"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2024-01-19T17:40:42Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2011-12-31T01:55:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/.",
"id": "GHSA-3jhc-wjqf-5f2c",
"modified": "2024-11-18T23:01:50Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:35:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-4617"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/68075ad9ededf7df2c46d385f836c13b729de2ca"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bitbucket.org/ianb/virtualenv/changeset/8be37c509fe5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/virtualenv/PYSEC-2011-23.yaml"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20200228151935/https://bitbucket.org/ianb/virtualenv/commits/8be37c509fe5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-January/071638.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-January/071643.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Virtualenv Allows Symlink Attack on /tmp/"
}
GHSA-3JRQ-X5VV-PVCW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-25 00:00 – Updated: 2023-12-28 18:30Windows 10 Update Assistant Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-43211.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-42297"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-24T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows 10 Update Assistant Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-43211.",
"id": "GHSA-3jrq-x5vv-pvcw",
"modified": "2023-12-28T18:30:31Z",
"published": "2021-11-25T00:00:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42297"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-42297"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1334"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
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.