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.
2464 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-67HM-27MX-9CG7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-13 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-23 06:44Deno <=1.14.0 file sandbox does not handle symbolic links correctly. When running Deno with specific write access, the Deno.symlink method can be used to gain access to any directory.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "crates.io",
"name": "deno"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.16.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-41641"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-06-23T06:44:34Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-12T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Deno \u003c=1.14.0 file sandbox does not handle symbolic links correctly. When running Deno with specific write access, the Deno.symlink method can be used to gain access to any directory.",
"id": "GHSA-67hm-27mx-9cg7",
"modified": "2022-06-23T06:44:34Z",
"published": "2022-06-13T00:00:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41641"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/denoland/deno/issues/12152"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/denoland/deno/pull/12554"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/denoland/deno/commit/d44011a69e0674acfa9c59bd7ad7f0523eb61d42"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hackers.report/report/614876917a7b150012836bb8"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Link Following in Deno"
}
GHSA-67HR-WG4G-MJJV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 00:11 – Updated: 2022-05-17 00:11The pg_ctlcluster script in postgresql-common package in Debian wheezy before 134wheezy5, in Debian jessie before 165+deb8u2, in Debian unstable before 178, in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS before 129ubuntu1.2, in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS before 154ubuntu1.1, in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS before 173ubuntu0.1, in Ubuntu 17.04 before 179ubuntu0.1, and in Ubuntu 17.10 before 184ubuntu1.1 allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on a logfile in /var/log/postgresql.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-1255"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-12-05T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The pg_ctlcluster script in postgresql-common package in Debian wheezy before 134wheezy5, in Debian jessie before 165+deb8u2, in Debian unstable before 178, in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS before 129ubuntu1.2, in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS before 154ubuntu1.1, in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS before 173ubuntu0.1, in Ubuntu 17.04 before 179ubuntu0.1, and in Ubuntu 17.10 before 184ubuntu1.1 allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack on a logfile in /var/log/postgresql.",
"id": "GHSA-67hr-wg4g-mjjv",
"modified": "2022-05-17T00:11:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T00:11:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-1255"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://anonscm.debian.org/cgit/pkg-postgresql/postgresql-common.git/commit/?id=c8989206ec360f199400c74f129f7b4cb878c1ee"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2017/01/msg00002.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3476-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3476-2"
}
],
"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-67JC-HMVG-Q4C7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-17 21:32 – Updated: 2025-11-05 20:32NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in the update-ldcache hook, where an attacker could cause a link following by using a specially crafted container image. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to data tampering and denial of service.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/NVIDIA/nvidia-container-toolkit"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.17.8"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/NVIDIA/k8s-device-plugin"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.17.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/NVIDIA/gpu-operator"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "25.3.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/NVIDIA/mig-parted"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.12.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-23267"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-10-02T20:53:28Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-17T20:15:28Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in the update-ldcache hook, where an attacker could cause a link following by using a specially crafted container image. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to data tampering and denial of service.",
"id": "GHSA-67jc-hmvg-q4c7",
"modified": "2025-11-05T20:32:01Z",
"published": "2025-07-17T21:32:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-23267"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/NVIDIA/gpu-operator"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/NVIDIA/k8s-device-plugin"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/NVIDIA/mig-parted"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/NVIDIA/nvidia-container-toolkit"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5659"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2025-3998"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/07/16/3"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "NVIDIA Container Toolkit for all platforms contains a vulnerability in the update-ldcache hook"
}
GHSA-67JH-JCP2-47G6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:36 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:36Improper access control in Windows Host Guardian Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-88072"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:21:25Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper access control in Windows Host Guardian Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-67jh-jcp2-47g6",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:36:32Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:36:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-88072"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-88072"
}
],
"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-68QR-37MV-CWHV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-14 12:31 – Updated: 2026-10-14 12:31A flaw was found in BusyBox's dpkg-deb archive extraction. The ar archive handler flushes deferred symlinks after each archive member, unlike the tar, cpio, and unzip handlers which flush once after the last member. A specially crafted .deb archive with two data.tar members can exploit this ordering: the first member declares a symlink pointing to an absolute path (e.g., '/'), which is deferred as unsafe but flushed after the first member. The second member declares a regular file whose path traverses the now-live symlink, resulting in a file being written outside the intended extraction directory. This could allow an attacker to write arbitrary files to arbitrary locations when a user extracts a crafted .deb package.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-90954"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-14T10:17:57Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A flaw was found in BusyBox\u0027s dpkg-deb archive extraction. The ar archive handler flushes deferred symlinks after each archive member, unlike the tar, cpio, and unzip handlers which flush once after the last member. A specially crafted .deb archive with two data.tar members can exploit this ordering: the first member declares a symlink pointing to an absolute path (e.g., \u0027/\u0027), which is deferred as unsafe but flushed after the first member. The second member declares a regular file whose path traverses the now-live symlink, resulting in a file being written outside the intended extraction directory. This could allow an attacker to write arbitrary files to arbitrary locations when a user extracts a crafted .deb package.",
"id": "GHSA-68qr-37mv-cwhv",
"modified": "2026-10-14T12:31:32Z",
"published": "2026-10-14T12:31:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-90954"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-90954"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2533007"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-68V9-MPJ8-43V9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-29 21:30 – Updated: 2025-10-29 21:30Razer Synapse 3 Chroma Connect Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Razer Synapse 3. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Razer Chroma SDK installer. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the installer to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-26373.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-9871"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-10-29T20:15:37Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Razer Synapse 3 Chroma Connect Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Razer Synapse 3. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Razer Chroma SDK installer. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the installer to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-26373.",
"id": "GHSA-68v9-mpj8-43v9",
"modified": "2025-10-29T21:30:33Z",
"published": "2025-10-29T21:30:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-9871"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-920"
}
],
"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-693H-V7JP-H34F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-13 18:30 – Updated: 2025-05-13 18:30Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft PC Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-29975"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-13T17:15:58Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Microsoft PC Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-693h-v7jp-h34f",
"modified": "2025-05-13T18:30:55Z",
"published": "2025-05-13T18:30:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-29975"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-29975"
}
],
"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-697Q-W597-8XCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-07 18:31 – Updated: 2024-10-07 18:31A potential security vulnerability has been identified in the HP Hotkey Support software, which might allow local escalation of privilege. HP is releasing mitigation for the potential vulnerability. Customers using HP Programmable Key are recommended to update HP Hotkey Support.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-27458"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-07T17:15:15Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A potential security vulnerability has been identified in the HP Hotkey Support software, which might allow local escalation of privilege. HP is releasing mitigation for the potential vulnerability. Customers using HP Programmable Key are recommended to update HP Hotkey Support.",
"id": "GHSA-697q-w597-8xcg",
"modified": "2024-10-07T18:31:09Z",
"published": "2024-10-07T18:31:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27458"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_11342101-11342130-16/hpsbhf03977"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-698G-H9HV-X46C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-27 21:31 – Updated: 2026-07-28 18:32This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-43765"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-27T21:17:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7.8, macOS Sonoma 14.8.8, macOS Tahoe 26.6. An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system.",
"id": "GHSA-698g-h9hv-x46c",
"modified": "2026-07-28T18:32:51Z",
"published": "2026-07-27T21:31:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43765"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/128067"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/128071"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/128072"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-69HJ-5JH6-6Q99
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-16 15:30 – Updated: 2026-08-16 15:30OpenTofu before 1.11.7 fails to validate existing symlinks in the provider cache directory during initialization. Attackers can place a malicious symlink in a trusted working directory to cause tofu init to write provider package contents to arbitrary filesystem locations outside the working tree.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-74796"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-16T14:16:57Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "OpenTofu before 1.11.7 fails to validate existing symlinks in the provider cache directory during initialization. Attackers can place a malicious symlink in a trusted working directory to cause tofu init to write provider package contents to arbitrary filesystem locations outside the working tree.",
"id": "GHSA-69hj-5jh6-6q99",
"modified": "2026-08-16T15:30:27Z",
"published": "2026-08-16T15:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/opentofu/opentofu/security/advisories/GHSA-wcmj-x466-56mm"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74796"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/opentofu-before-symlink-following-path-traversal"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:H/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"
}
]
}
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.