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.
2029 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-9285-VGJW-7XJF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31Parallels Desktop Updater 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 Updater service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-21227.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-50226"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:16:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Parallels Desktop Updater 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.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Updater service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-21227.",
"id": "GHSA-9285-vgjw-7xjf",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:06Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-50226"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1805"
}
],
"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-92PW-9WXR-JX34
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53test_parser.py in mayavi 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/err.log temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5151"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "test_parser.py in mayavi 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/err.log temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-92pw-9wxr-jx34",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5151"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00347.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://uvw.ru/report.sid.txt"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-92XM-R55W-35WX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53mgt-helper in multi-gnome-terminal 1.6.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/.debug or (2) /tmp/.env temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5143"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "mgt-helper in multi-gnome-terminal 1.6.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/*.debug or (2) /tmp/*.env temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-92xm-r55w-35wx",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5143"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00285.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32415"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-9332-J4WP-2XCQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:45 – Updated: 2025-04-12 13:07base/logging.c in Nagios Core before 4.2.4 allows local users with access to an account in the nagios group to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the log file. NOTE: this can be leveraged by remote attackers using CVE-2016-9565.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-9566"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-12-15T22:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "base/logging.c in Nagios Core before 4.2.4 allows local users with access to an account in the nagios group to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the log file. NOTE: this can be leveraged by remote attackers using CVE-2016-9565.",
"id": "GHSA-9332-j4wp-2xcq",
"modified": "2025-04-12T13:07:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:45:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9566"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/NagiosEnterprises/nagioscore/commit/c29557dec91eba2306f5fb11b8da4474ba63f8c4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1402869"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://legalhackers.com/advisories/Nagios-Exploit-Root-PrivEsc-CVE-2016-9566.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/12/msg00014.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-51"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-26"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201710-20"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40921"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.nagios.org/projects/nagios-core/history/4x"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0211.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0212.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0213.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0214.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0258.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0259.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/58"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94919"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037487"
}
],
"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-934W-FHC8-QWCJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-06 09:31 – Updated: 2024-02-06 09:31DUP framework version 4.9.4.36 and prior contains insecure operation on Windows junction/Mount point vulnerability. A local malicious standard user could exploit the vulnerability to create arbitrary files, leading to denial of service
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-32454"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1386",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-02-06T08:15:49Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "\nDUP framework version 4.9.4.36 and prior contains insecure operation on Windows junction/Mount point vulnerability. A local malicious standard user could exploit the vulnerability to create arbitrary files, leading to denial of service\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-934w-fhc8-qwcj",
"modified": "2024-02-06T09:31:38Z",
"published": "2024-02-06T09:31:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32454"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000216236/dsa-2023-192"
}
],
"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-93FQ-Q8HR-M989
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-10 00:30 – Updated: 2026-02-10 00:30Tanium addressed an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability in end-user-cx.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-15314"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-10T00:16:05Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Tanium addressed an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability in end-user-cx.",
"id": "GHSA-93fq-q8hr-m989",
"modified": "2026-02-10T00:30:31Z",
"published": "2026-02-10T00:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-15314"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.tanium.com/TAN-2025-010"
}
],
"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-944P-Q32M-RGHV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-11 00:30 – Updated: 2024-06-11 00:30A security agent link following vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges 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-2024-36305"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-06-10T22:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A security agent link following vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One could allow a local attacker to escalate privileges on affected installations.\n\nPlease 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-944p-q32m-rghv",
"modified": "2024-06-11T00:30:39Z",
"published": "2024-06-11T00:30:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-36305"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/dcx/s/solution/000298063"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-572"
}
],
"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-948P-G8FC-MHJ5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:33 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:33UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in TP-Link Archer A7(US)_V5_200721 allows an authenticated admin user, with physical access and network access, to execute arbitrary code after plugging a crafted USB drive into the router.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-5795"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-06T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following in TP-Link Archer A7(US)_V5_200721 allows an authenticated admin user, with physical access and network access, to execute arbitrary code after plugging a crafted USB drive into the router.",
"id": "GHSA-948p-g8fc-mhj5",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:33:24Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:33:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5795"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2020-60"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-94C3-PHMR-H8QW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-11 18:31 – Updated: 2025-02-11 18:31Windows Disk Cleanup Tool Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21420"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-11T18:15:40Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows Disk Cleanup Tool Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-94c3-phmr-h8qw",
"modified": "2025-02-11T18:31:40Z",
"published": "2025-02-11T18:31:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21420"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21420"
}
],
"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-94W9-FCWH-P5JV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-20 06:30 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:32This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.1. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-44211"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-281",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-20T04:15:05Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.1. An app may be able to access user-sensitive data.",
"id": "GHSA-94w9-fcwh-p5jv",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:32:15Z",
"published": "2024-12-20T06:30:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-44211"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/121564"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Oct/11"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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.