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-6H49-4WHJ-WHJW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-13 21:37 – Updated: 2026-10-13 21:37Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-96911"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-10-13T19:22:01Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Microsoft Windows Search Component allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-6h49-4whj-whjw",
"modified": "2026-10-13T21:37:04Z",
"published": "2026-10-13T21:37:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-96911"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-96911"
}
],
"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-6H65-6827-8QP2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:10 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:10Open redirect vulnerability in wp-admin/upgrade.php in WordPress, probably 2.6.x, allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the backto parameter.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-6762"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2009-04-28T16:30:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Open redirect vulnerability in wp-admin/upgrade.php in WordPress, probably 2.6.x, allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via a URL in the backto parameter.",
"id": "GHSA-6h65-6827-8qp2",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:10:13Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:10:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-6762"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50382"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2008-12/0226.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/52213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1871"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-6HFR-HXPF-C7M6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-06 18:30 – Updated: 2025-09-23 15:31A link following vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained user access to traverse the file system to unintended locations.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.1.8.2823 build 20240712 and later QTS 5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 and later QuTS hero h5.1.8.2823 build 20240712 and later QuTS hero h5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-53691"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-06T17:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A link following vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained user access to traverse the file system to unintended locations.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions:\nQTS 5.1.8.2823 build 20240712 and later\nQTS 5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 and later\nQuTS hero h5.1.8.2823 build 20240712 and later\nQuTS hero h5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 and later",
"id": "GHSA-6hfr-hxpf-c7m6",
"modified": "2025-09-23T15:31:06Z",
"published": "2024-12-06T18:30:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-53691"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-24-28"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/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-6HJQ-RGP4-842X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-08 09:31 – Updated: 2025-07-08 09:31A low privileged remote attacker with file access can replace a critical file used by the watchdog to get read, write and execute access to any file on the device after the watchdog has been initialized.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-41666"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-08T07:15:25Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A low privileged remote attacker with file access can replace a critical file used by the watchdog to get read, write and execute access to any file on the device after the watchdog has been initialized.",
"id": "GHSA-6hjq-rgp4-842x",
"modified": "2025-07-08T09:31:29Z",
"published": "2025-07-08T09:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-41666"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://certvde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2025-054"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-6HVX-3MCF-V9XF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 02:03 – Updated: 2024-01-26 18:30linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2005-1916"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2005-07-06T04:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "linki.py in ekg 2005-06-05 and earlier allows local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files.",
"id": "GHSA-6hvx-3mcf-v9xf",
"modified": "2024-01-26T18:30:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T02:03:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2005-1916"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq\u0026m=112060146011122\u0026w=2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq\u0026m=112198499417250\u0026w=2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-760"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.zataz.net/adviso/ekg-06062005.txt"
}
],
"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-6J4H-JC88-6HWV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-21 00:31 – Updated: 2026-08-21 00:31IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files due to improper resolution of symbolic links.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-17171"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-20T22:17:15Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files due to improper resolution of symbolic links.",
"id": "GHSA-6j4h-jc88-6hwv",
"modified": "2026-08-21T00:31:20Z",
"published": "2026-08-21T00:31:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-17171"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283858"
}
],
"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-6J4P-VQ7V-X6G8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:59 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:59Unspecified vulnerability in Links before 2.1, when "only proxies" is enabled, has unknown impact and attack vectors related to providing "URLs to external programs."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-3329"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-07-27T22:41:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unspecified vulnerability in Links before 2.1, when \"only proxies\" is enabled, has unknown impact and attack vectors related to providing \"URLs to external programs.\"",
"id": "GHSA-6j4p-vq7v-x6g8",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:59:10Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:59:10Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3329"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44035"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://links.twibright.com/download/ChangeLog"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30422"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-6JCC-G9H6-FGHC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-12 21:31 – Updated: 2025-12-15 15:30This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.1. A malicious app may be able to delete protected user data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43381"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-12T21:15:53Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Tahoe 26.1. A malicious app may be able to delete protected user data.",
"id": "GHSA-6jcc-g9h6-fghc",
"modified": "2025-12-15T15:30:30Z",
"published": "2025-12-12T21:31:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43381"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634"
}
],
"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-6JCP-4MFR-QVPM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53** DISPUTED ** os-prober in os-prober 1.17 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/mounted-map or (2) /tmp/raided-map temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this issue, stating "the insecure code path should only ever run inside a d-i environment, which has no non-root users."
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5135"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** os-prober in os-prober 1.17 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/mounted-map or (2) /tmp/raided-map temporary file. NOTE: the vendor disputes this issue, stating \"the insecure code path should only ever run inside a d-i environment, which has no non-root users.\"",
"id": "GHSA-6jcp-4mfr-qvpm",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5135"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00285.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00296.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-6JHM-J4GF-HVJX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-23 03:31 – Updated: 2024-11-23 03:31Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. 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 Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-22963.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-7232"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T22:15:15Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. 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 Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-22963.",
"id": "GHSA-6jhm-j4gf-hvjx",
"modified": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"published": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-7232"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1004"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.