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.
1999 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-H6FR-RH94-PRMV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-06-07 21:30 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:30RenderDoc through 1.26 allows local privilege escalation via a symlink attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-33865"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-06-07T20:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "RenderDoc through 1.26 allows local privilege escalation via a symlink attack.",
"id": "GHSA-h6fr-rh94-prmv",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:30:37Z",
"published": "2023-06-07T21:30:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-33865"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/07/msg00023.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/12/msg00008.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://renderdoc.org"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qualys.com/2023/06/06/renderdoc/renderdoc.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172804/RenderDoc-1.26-Local-Privilege-Escalation-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Jun/2"
}
],
"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-H6HM-9C4M-MF67
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-03 03:25 – Updated: 2022-05-03 03:25pimd 2.1.5 and possibly earlier versions allows user-assisted local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) pimd.dump when a USR1 signal is sent, or (2) pimd.cache when USR2 is sent.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2011-0007"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2011-01-11T03:00:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "pimd 2.1.5 and possibly earlier versions allows user-assisted local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) pimd.dump when a USR1 signal is sent, or (2) pimd.cache when USR2 is sent.",
"id": "GHSA-h6hm-9c4m-mf67",
"modified": "2022-05-03T03:25:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-03T03:25:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-0007"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/64528"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/42759"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/42793"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2147"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/01/07/3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/01/07/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.osvdb.org/70305"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/45715"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0113"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H6RP-PHMV-C3RW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 00:59 – Updated: 2022-05-14 00:59lxclock.c in LXC 1.1.2 and earlier allows local users to create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /run/lock/lxc/*.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-1331"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-08-12T14:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "lxclock.c in LXC 1.1.2 and earlier allows local users to create arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /run/lock/lxc/*.",
"id": "GHSA-h6rp-phmv-c3rw",
"modified": "2022-05-14T00:59:49Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T00:59:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-1331"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/lxc/lxc/commit/72cf81f6a3404e35028567db2c99a90406e9c6e6"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lxc/+bug/1470842"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://service.ait.ac.at/security/2015/LxcSecurityAnalysis.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-05/msg00073.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2015-07/msg00066.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3317"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/75999"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2675-1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H76C-22CC-XHHX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:38 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:38vzctl before 4.9.4 determines the virtual environment (VE) layout based on the presence of root.hdd/DiskDescriptor.xml in the VE private directory, which allows local simfs container (CT) root users to change the root password for arbitrary ploop containers, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the ploop container root.hdd file and then access a control panel.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-6927"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-09-28T20:59:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "vzctl before 4.9.4 determines the virtual environment (VE) layout based on the presence of root.hdd/DiskDescriptor.xml in the VE private directory, which allows local simfs container (CT) root users to change the root password for arbitrary ploop containers, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on the ploop container root.hdd file and then access a control panel.",
"id": "GHSA-h76c-22cc-xhhx",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:38:26Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:38:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-6927"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://openvz.org/Download/vzctl/4.9.4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-30"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://src.openvz.org/projects/OVZL/repos/vzctl/commits/9e98ea630ac0e88b44e3e23c878a5166aeb74e1c"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3357"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H776-J9JW-992P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-20 15:35 – Updated: 2026-05-20 18:31Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-41091"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-20T13:16:29Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Microsoft Defender allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-h776-j9jw-992p",
"modified": "2026-05-20T18:31:34Z",
"published": "2026-05-20T15:35:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-41091"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-41091"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-41091"
}
],
"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-H7G5-P978-F45G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:37 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:37In Malwarebytes Free 4.1.0.56, a symbolic link may be used delete an arbitrary file on the system by exploiting the local quarantine system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-28641"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-12-22T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Malwarebytes Free 4.1.0.56, a symbolic link may be used delete an arbitrary file on the system by exploiting the local quarantine system.",
"id": "GHSA-h7g5-p978-f45g",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:37:05Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:37:05Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-28641"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500000403501-Arbitrary-file-deletion-vulnerability-fixed-in-Malwarebytes-Endpoint-Protection"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058885974-Arbitrary-file-deletion-vulnerability-fixed-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.malwarebytes.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H7G6-FRRR-69CX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 04:00 – Updated: 2022-05-02 04:00The (1) dshield.conf, (2) mail-buffered.conf, (3) mynetwatchman.conf, and (4) mynetwatchman.conf actions in action.d/ in Fail2ban before 0.8.5 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files with predictable names, as demonstrated by /tmp/fail2ban-mail.txt.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2009-5023"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-06-10T14:55:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The (1) dshield.conf, (2) mail-buffered.conf, (3) mynetwatchman.conf, and (4) mynetwatchman.conf actions in action.d/ in Fail2ban before 0.8.5 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on temporary files with predictable names, as demonstrated by /tmp/fail2ban-mail.txt.",
"id": "GHSA-h7g6-frrr-69cx",
"modified": "2022-05-02T04:00:42Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T04:00:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-5023"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=544232"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/fail2ban/fail2ban/blob/sdist/0.8.5/ChangeLog"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/58841"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201406-03.xml"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H7P6-F3W3-3X2G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-11 00:01 – Updated: 2022-01-15 00:03A link following denial-of-service vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One (on-prem and SaaS) and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security (10.0 SP1 and Services) could allow a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files in the context of SYSTEM. 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-2021-44024"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-10T14:10:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A link following denial-of-service vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One (on-prem and SaaS) and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security (10.0 SP1 and Services) could allow a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files in the context of SYSTEM. Please 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-h7p6-f3w3-3x2g",
"modified": "2022-01-15T00:03:31Z",
"published": "2022-01-11T00:01:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44024"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000289996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-014"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H8VC-63Q5-4PXR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 04:42 – Updated: 2022-05-17 04:42include/tests_webservers in Lynis before 1.5.5 on AIX allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/lynis.##### file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-3982"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-06-08T18:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "include/tests_webservers in Lynis before 1.5.5 on AIX allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a /tmp/lynis.##### file.",
"id": "GHSA-h8vc-63q5-4pxr",
"modified": "2022-05-17T04:42:21Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T04:42:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-3982"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cisofy.com/files/lynis-1.5.5.tar.gz"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/05/14"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/06/12"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/07/3"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-H92H-M4PR-CXFX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-30 18:17 – Updated: 2024-02-02 03:30WFTPD 3.00 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by uploading a (link) file that ends in a ".lnk." extension, which bypasses WFTPD's check for a ".lnk" extension.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2001-1386"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2001-07-01T04:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "WFTPD 3.00 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by uploading a (link) file that ends in a \".lnk.\" extension, which bypasses WFTPD\u0027s check for a \".lnk\" extension.",
"id": "GHSA-h92h-m4pr-cxfx",
"modified": "2024-02-02T03:30:28Z",
"published": "2022-04-30T18:17:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2001-1386"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/6760"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/194442"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2957"
}
],
"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.