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.
1984 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-5HCQ-W636-2W8H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2025-01-17 18:31** DISPUTED ** init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that "init is [used in] a single-user context; there's no possibility that this is exploitable."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-4996"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-07T19:36:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** init in initramfs-tools 0.92f allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/initramfs.debug temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this vulnerability, stating that \"init is [used in] a single-user context; there\u0027s no possibility that this is exploitable.\"",
"id": "GHSA-5hcq-w636-2w8h",
"modified": "2025-01-17T18:31:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/496386"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/initramfs-tools"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2"
}
],
"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-5M2X-F7X7-RQQR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-12-09 09:30 – Updated: 2023-12-13 00:30Support Assistant in NCP Secure Enterprise Client before 12.22 allows attackers read the contents of arbitrary files on the operating system by creating a symbolic link.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-28869"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-12-09T07:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Support Assistant in NCP Secure Enterprise Client before 12.22 allows attackers read the contents of arbitrary files on the operating system by creating a symbolic link.",
"id": "GHSA-5m2x-f7x7-rqqr",
"modified": "2023-12-13T00:30:37Z",
"published": "2023-12-09T09:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-28869"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://herolab.usd.de/en/security-advisories/usd-2022-0003"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5MW4-49P3-CWRW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-10 18:32 – Updated: 2025-06-10 18:32Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Recovery Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-32721"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-10T17:22:04Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Windows Recovery Driver allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-5mw4-49p3-cwrw",
"modified": "2025-06-10T18:32:28Z",
"published": "2025-06-10T18:32:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-32721"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-32721"
}
],
"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-5P32-VRMX-Q8C6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 00:10 – Updated: 2022-05-02 00:10alert.d/test.alert in mon 0.99.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the test.alert.log temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-4477"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-10-08T00:00:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "alert.d/test.alert in mon 0.99.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the test.alert.log temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-5p32-vrmx-q8c6",
"modified": "2022-05-02T00:10:31Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T00:10:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4477"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/45738"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=496398"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/mon"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00312.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32183"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:214"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31597"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.us.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1648"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-5PJ3-8XV9-CH9W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:29 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:29PGTStorage/pgt-file.php in phpCAS before 1.1.3, when proxy mode is enabled, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on an unspecified file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2010-3691"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2010-10-07T21:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "PGTStorage/pgt-file.php in phpCAS before 1.1.3, when proxy mode is enabled, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on an unspecified file.",
"id": "GHSA-5pj3-8xv9-ch9w",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:29:06Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:29:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-3691"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://developer.jasig.org/source/changelog/jasigsvn?cs=21538"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://forge.indepnet.net/projects/glpi/repository/revisions/12601"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.jasig.org/browse/PHPCAS-80"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=495542#82"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-November/050415.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-November/050428.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-October/049600.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-October/049602.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/41878"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/42149"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/42184"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/43427"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2172"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/29/6"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/10/01/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/10/01/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/43585"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2705"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2909"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0456"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-5PJJ-7M4P-WFH2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:04 – Updated: 2024-02-07 22:40ocrodjvu 0.4.6-1 on Debian GNU/Linux allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files that are generated when Cuneiform is invoked as the OCR engine.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "ocrodjvu"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.4.6-1"
},
{
"fixed": "0.4.6-2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
],
"versions": [
"0.4.6-1"
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2010-4338"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2024-02-07T22:40:09Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2011-01-20T19:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "ocrodjvu 0.4.6-1 on Debian GNU/Linux allows local users to modify arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files that are generated when Cuneiform is invoked as the OCR engine.",
"id": "GHSA-5pjj-7m4p-wfh2",
"modified": "2024-02-07T22:40:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:04:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-4338"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/64892"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/jwilk-archive/ocrodjvu"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20200229160520/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45234"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=598134"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [],
"summary": "ocrodjvu is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Modification via symlink attack"
}
GHSA-5PRC-43FJ-M4F2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:44 – Updated: 2022-05-24 16:44A hard-link created from log file archive of Check Point ZoneAlarm up to 15.4.062 or Check Point Endpoint Security client for Windows before E80.96 to any file on the system will get its permission changed so that all users can access that linked file. Doing this on files with limited access gains the local attacker higher privileges to the file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-8452"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-04-22T22:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A hard-link created from log file archive of Check Point ZoneAlarm up to 15.4.062 or Check Point Endpoint Security client for Windows before E80.96 to any file on the system will get its permission changed so that all users can access that linked file. Doing this on files with limited access gains the local attacker higher privileges to the file.",
"id": "GHSA-5prc-43fj-m4f2",
"modified": "2022-05-24T16:44:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:44:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8452"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportcenter.us.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=\u0026solutionid=sk150012"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zonealarm.com/software/release-history/zafavfw.html#15.4.260.17960"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154754/CheckPoint-Endpoint-Security-Client-ZoneAlarm-Privilege-Escalation.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-5PV6-62PR-4GFR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:47 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:47(1) oo-analytics-export and (2) oo-analytics-import in the openshift-origin-broker-util package in Red Hat OpenShift Enterprise 1 and 2 allow local users to have unspecified impact via a symlink attack on an unspecified file in /tmp.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2013-4364"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-01-08T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "(1) oo-analytics-export and (2) oo-analytics-import in the openshift-origin-broker-util package in Red Hat OpenShift Enterprise 1 and 2 allow local users to have unspecified impact via a symlink attack on an unspecified file in /tmp.",
"id": "GHSA-5pv6-62pr-4gfr",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:47:22Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:47:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-4364"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1009734"
}
],
"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-5QGP-P5JC-W2RM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-15 00:41 – Updated: 2021-05-20 21:03Docker before 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files and execute arbitrary code via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack in an image archive in a (a) pull or (b) load operation.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/docker/docker"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.3.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-6407"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-05-20T21:03:55Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Docker before 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files and execute arbitrary code via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack in an image archive in a (a) pull or (b) load operation.",
"id": "GHSA-5qgp-p5jc-w2rm",
"modified": "2021-05-20T21:03:55Z",
"published": "2022-02-15T00:41:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-6407"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/docker/docker/commit/3ac6394b8082d4700483d52fbfe54914be537d9e"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.docker.com/v1.3/release-notes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2014-December/145154.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-12/msg00009.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://secunia.com/advisories/60171"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://secunia.com/advisories/60241"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-6407"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/24/5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Arbitrary Code Execution in Docker"
}
GHSA-5QJJ-372W-543M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-08 18:33 – Updated: 2024-10-08 18:33Azure Monitor Agent Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-38097"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-08T18:15:06Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Azure Monitor Agent Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-5qjj-372w-543m",
"modified": "2024-10-08T18:33:14Z",
"published": "2024-10-08T18:33:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38097"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-38097"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.