Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-59

Allowed

Improper 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.

1989 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-F5MF-MX82-HM83

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-07-14 00:31
VLAI
Details

AnyDesk Support Information Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of AnyDesk. 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 Send Support Information feature. By creating a junction, an attacker can abuse the service to create arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-26645.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-15682"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-13T22:16:45Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "AnyDesk Support Information Link Following Denial-of-Service Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to create a denial-of-service condition on affected installations of AnyDesk. 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 Send Support Information feature. By creating a junction, an attacker can abuse the service to create arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system. Was ZDI-CAN-26645.",
  "id": "GHSA-f5mf-mx82-hm83",
  "modified": "2026-07-14T00:31:01Z",
  "published": "2026-07-14T00:31:01Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-15682"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-401"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-F5PC-M8JM-J5W6

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:05 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:05
VLAI
Details

It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the xorg-hwe-18.04 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-32555"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-06-12T04:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the xorg-hwe-18.04 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.",
  "id": "GHSA-f5pc-m8jm-j5w6",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T19:05:15Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T19:05:15Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32555"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-F5R8-5XJG-G5F9

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-10 21:31 – Updated: 2025-04-10 21:31
VLAI
Details

An Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') vulnerability in SonicWall NetExtender Windows (32 and 64 bit) client which allows an attacker to manipulate file paths.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-23010"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-04-10T19:16:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u0027) vulnerability in SonicWall NetExtender Windows (32 and 64 bit) client which allows an attacker to manipulate file paths.",
  "id": "GHSA-f5r8-5xjg-g5f9",
  "modified": "2025-04-10T21:31:09Z",
  "published": "2025-04-10T21:31:09Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-23010"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2025-0006"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-F637-GVQX-348W

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-30 18:11 – Updated: 2025-04-03 03:35
VLAI
Details

Internet Explorer 5.01 and earlier allows a remote attacker to create a reference to a client window and use a server-side redirect to access local files via that window, aka "Server-side Page Reference Redirect."

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-1999-0981"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "1999-12-08T05:00:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Internet Explorer 5.01 and earlier allows a remote attacker to create a reference to a client window and use a server-side redirect to access local files via that window, aka \"Server-side Page Reference Redirect.\"",
  "id": "GHSA-f637-gvqx-348w",
  "modified": "2025-04-03T03:35:23Z",
  "published": "2022-04-30T18:11:35Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-1999-0981"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/1999/ms99-050"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3B%5BLN%5D%3BQ246094"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q246094"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-F6M6-9FJW-69QM

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:14 – Updated: 2022-06-29 00:00
VLAI
Details

squashfs_opendir in unsquash-2.c in Squashfs-Tools 4.5 allows Directory Traversal, a different vulnerability than CVE-2021-40153. A squashfs filesystem that has been crafted to include a symbolic link and then contents under the same filename in a filesystem can cause unsquashfs to first create the symbolic link pointing outside the expected directory, and then the subsequent write operation will cause the unsquashfs process to write through the symbolic link elsewhere in the filesystem.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-41072"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22",
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-09-14T01:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "squashfs_opendir in unsquash-2.c in Squashfs-Tools 4.5 allows Directory Traversal, a different vulnerability than CVE-2021-40153. A squashfs filesystem that has been crafted to include a symbolic link and then contents under the same filename in a filesystem can cause unsquashfs to first create the symbolic link pointing outside the expected directory, and then the subsequent write operation will cause the unsquashfs process to write through the symbolic link elsewhere in the filesystem.",
  "id": "GHSA-f6m6-9fjw-69qm",
  "modified": "2022-06-29T00:00:54Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T19:14:33Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41072"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/plougher/squashfs-tools/issues/72#issuecomment-913833405"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/plougher/squashfs-tools/commit/e0485802ec72996c20026da320650d8362f555bd"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00017.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202305-29"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4987"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-F6RW-7P6G-PXCM

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 03:15 – Updated: 2022-05-02 03:15
VLAI
Details

The SSL certificate setup program (genSslCert.sh) in Standards Based Linux Instrumentation for Manageability (SBLIM) sblim-sfcb 1.3.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /var/tmp/key.pem, (2) /var/tmp/cert.pem, and (3) /var/tmp/ssl.cnf temporary files.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2009-0416"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2009-02-03T23:30:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "The SSL certificate setup program (genSslCert.sh) in Standards Based Linux Instrumentation for Manageability (SBLIM) sblim-sfcb 1.3.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /var/tmp/key.pem, (2) /var/tmp/cert.pem, and (3) /var/tmp/ssl.cnf temporary files.",
  "id": "GHSA-f6rw-7p6g-pxcm",
  "modified": "2022-05-02T03:15:20Z",
  "published": "2022-05-02T03:15:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0416"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-02/msg00002.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://osvdb.org/51783"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/33795"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=874261"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail\u0026aid=2561165\u0026group_id=128809\u0026atid=712784"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33583"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-F6XC-44HH-RF46

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-19 00:01 – Updated: 2022-03-01 00:01
VLAI
Details

snapd 2.54.2 did not properly validate the location of the snap-confine binary. A local attacker who can hardlink this binary to another location to cause snap-confine to execute other arbitrary binaries and hence gain privilege escalation. Fixed in snapd versions 2.54.3+18.04, 2.54.3+20.04 and 2.54.3+21.10.1

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-44730"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-02-17T23:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "snapd 2.54.2 did not properly validate the location of the snap-confine binary. A local attacker who can hardlink this binary to another location to cause snap-confine to execute other arbitrary binaries and hence gain privilege escalation. Fixed in snapd versions 2.54.3+18.04, 2.54.3+20.04 and 2.54.3+21.10.1",
  "id": "GHSA-f6xc-44hh-rf46",
  "modified": "2022-03-01T00:01:04Z",
  "published": "2022-02-19T00:01:40Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44730"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/3QTBN7LLZISXIA4KU4UKDR27Q5PXDS2U"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XCGHG6LJAVJJ72TMART6A7N4Z6MSTGI7"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-5292-1"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5080"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/02/18/2"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/02/23/1"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-F729-M528-5H64

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-28 21:30 – Updated: 2026-04-02 21:31
VLAI
Details

This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1. A malicious app may be able to create symlinks to protected regions of the disk.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-44264"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-10-28T21:15:07Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.1, macOS Sonoma 14.7.1. A malicious app may be able to create symlinks to protected regions of the disk.",
  "id": "GHSA-f729-m528-5h64",
  "modified": "2026-04-02T21:31:59Z",
  "published": "2024-10-28T21:30:35Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-44264"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/121564"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/121568"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/121570"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/11"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/12"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/13"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-F73C-Q373-6XFC

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53
VLAI
Details

netdisco-mibs-installer 1.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/netdisco-mibs-0.6.tar.gz temporary file, related to the (1) netdisco-mibs-install and (2) netdisco-mibs-download scripts.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2008-5379"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2008-12-08T23:30:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "netdisco-mibs-installer 1.0 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/netdisco-mibs-0.6.tar.gz temporary file, related to the (1) netdisco-mibs-install and (2) netdisco-mibs-download scripts.",
  "id": "GHSA-f73c-q373-6xfc",
  "modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:19Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T05:53:19Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5379"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00285.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-F762-5MRW-32X8

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-26 18:31 – Updated: 2026-05-26 21:31
VLAI
Details

FastNetMon Community Edition through 1.2.9 is vulnerable to a local symlink attack via predictable file paths in /tmp. The statistics file path defaults to '/tmp/fastnetmon.dat' (src/fastnetmon.cpp line 159). The print_screen_contents_into_file() function (src/fastnetmon_logic.cpp line 2186) opens this path with std::ios::trunc without checking for symlinks or using O_NOFOLLOW. Additionally, the chmod() call on line 2190 always operates on cli_stats_file_path regardless of which file_path parameter was passed (a bug that applies wrong permissions), and the umask is set to 0 during daemonization (src/fastnetmon.cpp line 1821), making all created files world-writable. A local attacker can exploit this to overwrite arbitrary files as the FastNetMon process user (typically root).

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-48693"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-05-26T17:16:53Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "FastNetMon Community Edition through 1.2.9 is vulnerable to a local symlink attack via predictable file paths in /tmp. The statistics file path defaults to \u0027/tmp/fastnetmon.dat\u0027 (src/fastnetmon.cpp line 159). The print_screen_contents_into_file() function (src/fastnetmon_logic.cpp line 2186) opens this path with std::ios::trunc without checking for symlinks or using O_NOFOLLOW. Additionally, the chmod() call on line 2190 always operates on cli_stats_file_path regardless of which file_path parameter was passed (a bug that applies wrong permissions), and the umask is set to 0 during daemonization (src/fastnetmon.cpp line 1821), making all created files world-writable. A local attacker can exploit this to overwrite arbitrary files as the FastNetMon process user (typically root).",
  "id": "GHSA-f762-5mrw-32x8",
  "modified": "2026-05-26T21:31:57Z",
  "published": "2026-05-26T18:31:47Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48693"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pavel-odintsov/fastnetmon"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pavel-odintsov/fastnetmon/blob/master/src/fastnetmon.cpp"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pavel-odintsov/fastnetmon/blob/master/src/fastnetmon_logic.cpp"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lorikeetsecurity.com/blog/fastnetmon-cve-2026-48693-symlink-tmp"
    }
  ],
  "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:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation MIT-48.1
Architecture and Design

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.