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-5G64-M776-4VJF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-04 03:30 – Updated: 2026-04-02 21:32This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7. An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43288"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-04T02:15:35Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sequoia 15.7. An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences.",
"id": "GHSA-5g64-m776-4vjf",
"modified": "2026-04-02T21:32:34Z",
"published": "2025-11-04T03:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43288"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125110"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125111"
}
],
"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-5G69-F2MW-5H6C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-04 03:30 – Updated: 2025-12-17 21:30This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2. An app may be able to access protected user data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43395"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-04T02:15:46Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved handling of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2. An app may be able to access protected user data.",
"id": "GHSA-5g69-f2mw-5h6c",
"modified": "2025-12-17T21:30:33Z",
"published": "2025-11-04T03:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43395"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125635"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125636"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5GGP-35WQ-JXX3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-12 18:30 – Updated: 2024-11-12 18:30Microsoft PC Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-49051"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-12T18:15:46Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Microsoft PC Manager Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-5ggp-35wq-jxx3",
"modified": "2024-11-12T18:30:59Z",
"published": "2024-11-12T18:30:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-49051"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2024-49051"
}
],
"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-5GJ4-QHV6-9WXX
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 to read registry information of the operating system by creating a symbolic link.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-28871"
],
"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 to read registry information of the operating system by creating a symbolic link.",
"id": "GHSA-5gj4-qhv6-9wxx",
"modified": "2023-12-13T00:30:37Z",
"published": "2023-12-09T09:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-28871"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://herolab.usd.de/en/security-advisories/usd-2022-0005"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5GRC-66QQ-8MGG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-09 18:31 – Updated: 2026-06-09 18:31Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft PC Manager allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-50511"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-09T18:17:06Z",
"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-5grc-66qq-8mgg",
"modified": "2026-06-09T18:31:04Z",
"published": "2026-06-09T18:31:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50511"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50511"
}
],
"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-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": []
}
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.