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.
2154 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-WR8V-PMCM-77GW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:05 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:05It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the openjdk-15 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-32551"
],
"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 openjdk-15 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.",
"id": "GHSA-wr8v-pmcm-77gw",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:05:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:05:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32551"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WVHF-6GM4-V6JF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-20 18:30 – Updated: 2026-08-20 18:30Kenwood DNR1007XR Firmware Update Link Following Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kenwood DNR1007XR devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the firmware update process. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move a file to an arbitrary location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-28751.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-18267"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-20T17:17:23Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Kenwood DNR1007XR Firmware Update Link Following Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kenwood DNR1007XR devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the firmware update process. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move a file to an arbitrary location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-28751.",
"id": "GHSA-wvhf-6gm4-v6jf",
"modified": "2026-08-20T18:30:54Z",
"published": "2026-08-20T18:30:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-18267"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/mm/firmware/2020/2020f/eng.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-484"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WVP4-7F3W-G9QJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:27 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:27syncevo/installcheck-local.sh in syncevolution before 1.3.99.7 uses mktemp to create a safe temporary file but appends a suffix to the original filename and writes to this new filename, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the new filename.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-1639"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-01-28T00:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "syncevo/installcheck-local.sh in syncevolution before 1.3.99.7 uses mktemp to create a safe temporary file but appends a suffix to the original filename and writes to this new filename, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the new filename.",
"id": "GHSA-wvp4-7f3w-g9qj",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:27:07Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:27:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-1639"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90662"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=736357"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/01/22/3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/01/22/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.osvdb.org/102380"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/65098"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WW43-23JX-QCPC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-22 21:30 – Updated: 2025-04-15 15:30When resolving a symlink such as file:///proc/self/fd/1, an error message may be produced where the symlink was resolved to a string containing unitialized memory in the buffer.
This bug only affects Thunderbird on Unix-based operated systems (Android, Linux, MacOS). Windows is unaffected.. This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR < 102.5, Thunderbird < 102.5, and Firefox < 107.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-45412"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-22T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "When resolving a symlink such as \u003ccode\u003efile:///proc/self/fd/1\u003c/code\u003e, an error message may be produced where the symlink was resolved to a string containing unitialized memory in the buffer. \u003cbr\u003e*This bug only affects Thunderbird on Unix-based operated systems (Android, Linux, MacOS). Windows is unaffected.*. This vulnerability affects Firefox ESR \u003c 102.5, Thunderbird \u003c 102.5, and Firefox \u003c 107.",
"id": "GHSA-ww43-23jx-qcpc",
"modified": "2025-04-15T15:30:36Z",
"published": "2022-12-22T21:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-45412"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1791029"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2022-47"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2022-48"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2022-49"
}
],
"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-WW6F-FX4X-QW8G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:32 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:32checkpath in OpenRC through 0.42.1 might allow local users to take ownership of arbitrary files because a non-terminal path component can be a symlink.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-21269"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-10-27T04:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "checkpath in OpenRC through 0.42.1 might allow local users to take ownership of arbitrary files because a non-terminal path component can be a symlink.",
"id": "GHSA-ww6f-fx4x-qw8g",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:32:13Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:32:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-21269"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/OpenRC/openrc/issues/201"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WW8G-33X9-V3QW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:54 – Updated: 2023-02-24 00:30IBM Informix Dynamic Server Enterprise Edition 12.1 could allow a local user logged in with database administrator user to gain root privileges through a symbolic link vulnerability in onmode. IBM X-Force ID: 144430.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-1630"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-08-20T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IBM Informix Dynamic Server Enterprise Edition 12.1 could allow a local user logged in with database administrator user to gain root privileges through a symbolic link vulnerability in onmode. IBM X-Force ID: 144430.",
"id": "GHSA-ww8g-33x9-v3qw",
"modified": "2023-02-24T00:30:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:54:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1630"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/144430"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190903-0002"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ibm10964987"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WWFQ-CQ3F-8QX7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-05 00:31 – Updated: 2025-02-05 00:31Parallels Desktop Technical Data Reporter Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target host system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Technical Data Reporter component. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to change the permissions of arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-25014.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-0413"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-05T00:15:28Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Parallels Desktop Technical Data Reporter Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. \nThis vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target host system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Technical Data Reporter component. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to change the permissions of arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-25014.",
"id": "GHSA-wwfq-cq3f-8qx7",
"modified": "2025-02-05T00:31:13Z",
"published": "2025-02-05T00:31:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0413"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.parallels.com/130212"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-082"
}
],
"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-WWMX-3P39-RX9C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-01 21:36 – Updated: 2026-07-06 21:30Dell Device Management Agent, versions prior to DDMA 26.05, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following’) vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of Privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-41121"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-01T19:16:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dell Device Management Agent, versions prior to DDMA 26.05, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u2019) vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could\u00a0potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of Privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-wwmx-3p39-rx9c",
"modified": "2026-07-06T21:30:28Z",
"published": "2026-07-01T21:36:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41121"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000473690/dsa-2026-258"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WWWH-47WP-M522
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:54 – Updated: 2024-08-30 22:01The chroot, jail, and zone connection plugins in ansible before 1.9.2 allow local users to escape a restricted environment via a symlink attack.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "ansible"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.9.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-6240"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2023-08-02T22:06:37Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-07T20:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The chroot, jail, and zone connection plugins in ansible before 1.9.2 allow local users to escape a restricted environment via a symlink attack.",
"id": "GHSA-wwwh-47wp-m522",
"modified": "2024-08-30T22:01:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:54:10Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-6240"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible/commit/952166f48eb0f5797b75b160fd156bbe1e8fc647"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible/commit/ca2f2c4ebd7b5e097eab0a710f79c1f63badf95b"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1243468"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/ansible/PYSEC-2017-3.yaml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/09/msg00016.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/08/17/10"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"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": "Ansible Sandbox Escape via Symlink Attack"
}
GHSA-WWX7-QX3F-7G4R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:38 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:38GUI overlay vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.13 and SeaMonkey before 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to spoof form elements and redirect user inputs via a borderless XUL pop-up window from a background tab.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-1241"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-03-27T10:44:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "GUI overlay vulnerability in Mozilla Firefox before 2.0.0.13 and SeaMonkey before 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to spoof form elements and redirect user inputs via a borderless XUL pop-up window from a background tab.",
"id": "GHSA-wwx7-qx3f-7g4r",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:38:04Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:38:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-1241"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/41454"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11163"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-04/msg00002.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008-0208.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29391"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29526"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29539"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29541"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29547"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29550"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29558"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29560"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29607"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29616"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/29645"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/30327"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/30620"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-238492-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0128"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1532"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1534"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200805-18.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:080"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2008/mfsa2008-19.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0207.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0209.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/490196/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/28448"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1019700"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-592-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-087A.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/0998/references"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/1793/references"
}
],
"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.