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.
1983 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-3WH2-2WC5-F45W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-11 15:30 – Updated: 2026-02-12 18:30A link following vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. The remote attackers can then exploit the vulnerability to traverse the file system to unintended locations.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.2.8.3350 build 20251216 and later QuTS hero h5.3.2.3354 build 20251225 and later QuTS hero h5.2.8.3350 build 20251216 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-66277"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-11T13:15:58Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A link following vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. The remote attackers can then exploit the vulnerability to traverse the file system to unintended locations.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions:\nQTS 5.2.8.3350 build 20251216 and later\nQuTS hero h5.3.2.3354 build 20251225 and later\nQuTS hero h5.2.8.3350 build 20251216 and later",
"id": "GHSA-3wh2-2wc5-f45w",
"modified": "2026-02-12T18:30:21Z",
"published": "2026-02-11T15:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66277"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-26-05"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/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-3WMF-Q566-H69Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-07-30 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-05 00:00On MacOS and Linux, it may be possible to perform a symlink attack by replacing this predictable file name with a symlink to another file and have the Velociraptor client overwrite the other file. This issue was resolved in Velociraptor 0.6.5-2.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-35631"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-07-29T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "On MacOS and Linux, it may be possible to perform a symlink attack by replacing this predictable file name with a symlink to another file and have the Velociraptor client overwrite the other file. This issue was resolved in Velociraptor 0.6.5-2.",
"id": "GHSA-3wmf-q566-h69q",
"modified": "2022-08-05T00:00:31Z",
"published": "2022-07-30T00:00:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-35631"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/07/26/cve-2022-35629-35632-velociraptor-multiple-vulnerabilities-fixed"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-3WPP-5PRR-27H8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-10 21:30 – Updated: 2025-03-05 21:32A security agent link following vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One could allow a local attacker to exploit the vulnerability by changing a specific file into a pseudo-symlink, allowing privilege escalation on affected installations. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-25148"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-10T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A security agent link following vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One could allow a local attacker to exploit the vulnerability by changing a specific file into a pseudo-symlink, allowing privilege escalation on affected installations. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-3wpp-5prr-27h8",
"modified": "2025-03-05T21:32:02Z",
"published": "2023-03-10T21:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25148"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000292209"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-173"
}
],
"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-3X82-3MP6-5R7H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 02:11 – Updated: 2022-05-14 02:11The init script in kbd, possibly 1.14.1 and earlier, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /dev/shm/defkeymap.map.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2011-0460"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-04-16T18:37:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The init script in kbd, possibly 1.14.1 and earlier, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /dev/shm/defkeymap.map.",
"id": "GHSA-3x82-3mp6-5r7h",
"modified": "2022-05-14T02:11:46Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T02:11:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-0460"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=663898"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2011-04/msg00053.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-3XC3-235X-7Q23
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 19:54 – Updated: 2022-05-17 19:54HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) through 3.12.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/hpcupsfilterc_#.bmp, (2) /tmp/hpcupsfilterk_#.bmp, (3) /tmp/hpcups_job#.out, (4) /tmp/hpijs_#####.out, or (5) /tmp/hpps_job#.out temporary file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2722.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2013-0200"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2013-03-06T20:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) through 3.12.4 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/hpcupsfilterc_#.bmp, (2) /tmp/hpcupsfilterk_#.bmp, (3) /tmp/hpcups_job#.out, (4) /tmp/hpijs_#####.out, or (5) /tmp/hpps_job#.out temporary file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2722.",
"id": "GHSA-3xc3-235x-7q23",
"modified": "2022-05-17T19:54:19Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T19:54:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-0200"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=902163"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Support/Advisories/MGASA-2013-0072"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/release_notes.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/55083"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2829"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:088"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1981-1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-3XGR-X5GV-64GH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:09 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:49It was found that versions of rpm before 4.13.0.2 use temporary files with predictable names when installing an RPM. An attacker with ability to write in a directory where files will be installed could create symbolic links to an arbitrary location and modify content, and possibly permissions to arbitrary files, which could be used for denial of service or possibly privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-7501"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-11-22T22:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "It was found that versions of rpm before 4.13.0.2 use temporary files with predictable names when installing an RPM. An attacker with ability to write in a directory where files will be installed could create symbolic links to an arbitrary location and modify content, and possibly permissions to arbitrary files, which could be used for denial of service or possibly privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-3xgr-x5gv-64gh",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:49:05Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:09:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-7501"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/404ef011c300207cdb1e531670384564aae04bdc"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r58af02e294bd07f487e2c64ffc0a29b837db5600e33b6e698b9d696b@%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf4c02775860db415b4955778a131c2795223f61cb8c6a450893651e4@%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201811-22"
}
],
"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-4223-W7FH-V2QM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:18 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:18senddoc in OpenOffice.org (OOo) 2.4.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/log.obr.##### temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-4937"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-05T15:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "senddoc in OpenOffice.org (OOo) 2.4.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/log.obr.##### temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-4223-w7fh-v2qm",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:18:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:18:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4937"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.gentoo.org/235824"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44829"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/496361"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/openoffice.org-common"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32856"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/33140"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200812-13.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://uvw.ru/report.lenny.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:070"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30925"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-677-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-677-2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-427V-J2G7-WW5M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 00:00 – Updated: 2026-06-02 15:31Check Point Endpoint Security Client for Windows versions earlier than E86.40 copy files for forensics reports from a directory with low privileges. An attacker can replace those files with malicious or linked content, such as exploiting CVE-2020-0896 on unpatched systems or using symbolic links.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-23742"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59",
"CWE-65"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-12T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Check Point Endpoint Security Client for Windows versions earlier than E86.40 copy files for forensics reports from a directory with low privileges. An attacker can replace those files with malicious or linked content, such as exploiting CVE-2020-0896 on unpatched systems or using symbolic links.",
"id": "GHSA-427v-j2g7-ww5m",
"modified": "2026-06-02T15:31:48Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T00:00:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23742"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk178665%2C"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk178665,"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk179132"
}
],
"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-428Q-4W9H-GX2C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:32 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:32The LHA.sys driver before 1.1.1811.2101 in LG Device Manager exposes functionality that allows low-privileged users to read and write arbitrary physical memory via specially crafted IOCTL requests and elevate system privileges. This occurs because the device object has an associated symbolic link and an open DACL.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-8372"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-18T15:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The LHA.sys driver before 1.1.1811.2101 in LG Device Manager exposes functionality that allows low-privileged users to read and write arbitrary physical memory via specially crafted IOCTL requests and elevate system privileges. This occurs because the device object has an associated symbolic link and an open DACL.",
"id": "GHSA-428q-4w9h-gx2c",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:32:20Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:32:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8372"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lgsecurity.lge.com/security_updates.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://twitter.com/Jackson_T/status/1097353402034475009"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.jackson-t.ca/lg-driver-lpe.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-429Q-CCQC-32WQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-04-08 18:34 – Updated: 2025-05-29 15:31Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21204"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-04-08T18:15:45Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Windows Update Stack allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-429q-ccqc-32wq",
"modified": "2025-05-29T15:31:06Z",
"published": "2025-04-08T18:34:44Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21204"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21204"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-21204-privilege-elevation-vulnerability-in-microsoft-windows-update-stack-detection-script"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-21204-privilege-elevation-vulnerability-in-microsoft-windows-update-stack-mitigation-script"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.