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-42JF-JCVF-JGRW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-15 00:00 – Updated: 2022-09-18 00:00An improper link resolution vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent on Windows devices allows a local attacker to read files on the system with elevated privileges when generating a tech support file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-0029"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-14T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An improper link resolution vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR agent on Windows devices allows a local attacker to read files on the system with elevated privileges when generating a tech support file.",
"id": "GHSA-42jf-jcvf-jgrw",
"modified": "2022-09-18T00:00:35Z",
"published": "2022-09-15T00:00:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-0029"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.paloaltonetworks.com/CVE-2022-0029"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-4333-XXH4-GH9F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:04 – Updated: 2025-04-12 13:06The nginx package before 1.6.2-5+deb8u3 on Debian jessie, the nginx packages before 1.4.6-1ubuntu3.6 on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, before 1.10.0-0ubuntu0.16.04.3 on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, and before 1.10.1-0ubuntu1.1 on Ubuntu 16.10, and the nginx ebuild before 1.10.2-r3 on Gentoo allow local users with access to the web server user account to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the error log.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-1247"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-11-29T17:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The nginx package before 1.6.2-5+deb8u3 on Debian jessie, the nginx packages before 1.4.6-1ubuntu3.6 on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, before 1.10.0-0ubuntu0.16.04.3 on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, and before 1.10.1-0ubuntu1.1 on Ubuntu 16.10, and the nginx ebuild before 1.10.2-r3 on Gentoo allow local users with access to the web server user account to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the error log.",
"id": "GHSA-4333-xxh4-gh9f",
"modified": "2025-04-12T13:06:51Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:04:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-1247"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://legalhackers.com/advisories/Nginx-Exploit-Deb-Root-PrivEsc-CVE-2016-1247.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/CBIZEKHBOCKO7FUMCO4X53ENMWU5OYFX"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ESTIADC7BDB6VTH4JAP6C6OCW2CQ4NHP"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/P3WOO7E5R2HT5XVOIOFPEFALILVOWZUF"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/CBIZEKHBOCKO7FUMCO4X53ENMWU5OYFX"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ESTIADC7BDB6VTH4JAP6C6OCW2CQ4NHP"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/P3WOO7E5R2HT5XVOIOFPEFALILVOWZUF"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-22"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40768"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTswN1k1fQs"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/139750/Nginx-Debian-Based-Distros-Root-Privilege-Escalation.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Nov/78"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Jan/33"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3701"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/539796/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93903"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037104"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3114-1"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-4337-X4H9-RX8J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:29 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:29cp, when running with an option to preserve symlinks on multiple OSes, allows local, user-assisted attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack using crafted directories containing multiple source files that are copied to the same destination.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-4998"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-01-31T21:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "cp, when running with an option to preserve symlinks on multiple OSes, allows local, user-assisted attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack using crafted directories containing multiple source files that are copied to the same destination.",
"id": "GHSA-4337-x4h9-rx8j",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:29:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:29:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-4998"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=356471"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2023"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/43228"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-4362-8CGF-69G7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:22 – Updated: 2022-07-02 00:00Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) before 16.0.R26 allows local users to delete files the user would otherwise not have access to via manipulating symbolic links to redirect a McAfee delete action to an unintended file. This is achieved through running a malicious script or program on the target machine.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-7282"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-07-03T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "Privilege Escalation vulnerability in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) before 16.0.R26 allows local users to delete files the user would otherwise not have access to via manipulating symbolic links to redirect a McAfee delete action to an unintended file. This is achieved through running a malicious script or program on the target machine.",
"id": "GHSA-4362-8cgf-69g7",
"modified": "2022-07-02T00:00:22Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:22:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-7282"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/cp/home/articleview?articleId=TS103062"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-43C2-9XGQ-4PM4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-21 01:57 – Updated: 2024-04-03 23:04rpcbind 0.2.0 allows local users to write to arbitrary files or gain privileges via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/portmap.xdr and (2) /tmp/rpcbind.xdr.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2010-2064"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-10-29T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "rpcbind 0.2.0 allows local users to write to arbitrary files or gain privileges via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/portmap.xdr and (2) /tmp/rpcbind.xdr.",
"id": "GHSA-43c2-9xgq-4pm4",
"modified": "2024-04-03T23:04:26Z",
"published": "2022-04-21T01:57:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-2064"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2010-2064"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2010-2064"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2010-2064"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/06/08/3"
}
],
"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:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-43HG-R8GJ-3MP9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:38 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:38Qemu before version 2.9 is vulnerable to an improper link following when built with the VirtFS. A privileged user inside guest could use this flaw to access host file system beyond the shared folder and potentially escalating their privileges on a host.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-9602"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-04-26T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Qemu before version 2.9 is vulnerable to an improper link following when built with the VirtFS. A privileged user inside guest could use this flaw to access host file system beyond the shared folder and potentially escalating their privileges on a host.",
"id": "GHSA-43hg-r8gj-3mp9",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:38:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:38:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9602"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2016-9602"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00007.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2017-01/msg06225.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2017-02/msg04347.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201704-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/17/12"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95461"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037604"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-43JF-FXQP-3QF7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:23 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:23The LockServer function in os/utils.c in X.Org xserver before 1.11.2 allows local users to determine the existence of arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary lock file, which is handled differently if the file exists.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2011-4028"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2012-07-03T19:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "The LockServer function in os/utils.c in X.Org xserver before 1.11.2 allows local users to determine the existence of arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a temporary lock file, which is handled differently if the file exists.",
"id": "GHSA-43jf-fxqp-3qf7",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:23:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:23:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-4028"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/xserver/commit/?id=6ba44b91e37622ef8c146d8f2ac92d708a18ed34"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/xorg/2011-October/053680.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0939.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/46460"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/49579"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-442G-3X58-F2RV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:32 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:32The init script for Apache Geronimo on SUSE Linux follows symlinks when performing a chown operation, which might allow local users to obtain access to unspecified files or directories.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-0732"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-02-12T21:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "The init script for Apache Geronimo on SUSE Linux follows symlinks when performing a chown operation, which might allow local users to obtain access to unspecified files or directories.",
"id": "GHSA-442g-3x58-f2rv",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:32:39Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:32:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-0732"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-02/msg00003.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/28838"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-44R2-3246-R77P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-30 18:31 – Updated: 2025-07-30 18:31Dell Encryption and Dell Security Management Server, versions prior to 11.11.0, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') Vulnerability. A local malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to privilege escalation.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-36611"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-30T17:15:27Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dell Encryption and Dell Security Management Server, versions prior to 11.11.0, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u0027) Vulnerability. A local malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to privilege escalation.",
"id": "GHSA-44r2-3246-r77p",
"modified": "2025-07-30T18:31:36Z",
"published": "2025-07-30T18:31:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-36611"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000347824/dsa-2025-292"
}
],
"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-44R9-882W-XW5M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:18 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:18In Perl through 5.26.2, the Archive::Tar module allows remote attackers to bypass a directory-traversal protection mechanism, and overwrite arbitrary files, via an archive file containing a symlink and a regular file with the same name.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-12015"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-06-07T13:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Perl through 5.26.2, the Archive::Tar module allows remote attackers to bypass a directory-traversal protection mechanism, and overwrite arbitrary files, via an archive file containing a symlink and a regular file with the same name.",
"id": "GHSA-44r9-882w-xw5m",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:18:58Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:18:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-12015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2097"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=900834"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Mar/42"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180927-0001"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209600"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/3684-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/3684-2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4226"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2020.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Mar/49"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104423"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041048"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"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.