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.
2264 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-X3RJ-R3P4-HQ68
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:10 – Updated: 2026-08-10 18:30Windows User Account Profile Picture Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26426"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-269",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-08-12T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows User Account Profile Picture Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-x3rj-r3p4-hq68",
"modified": "2026-08-10T18:30:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:10:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26426"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26426"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-26426"
}
],
"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-X3RX-F6PQ-CW23
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-11 18:31 – Updated: 2026-08-11 18:31Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows DHCP Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-62776"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-08-11T17:18:30Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Windows DHCP Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-x3rx-f6pq-cw23",
"modified": "2026-08-11T18:31:20Z",
"published": "2026-08-11T18:31:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-62776"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-62776"
}
],
"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-X48Q-XR66-WP2X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 04:16 – Updated: 2022-05-17 04:16pax 1:20140703 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack in an archive.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-1194"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-01-21T18:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "pax 1:20140703 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack in an archive.",
"id": "GHSA-x48q-xr66-wp2x",
"modified": "2022-05-17T04:16:57Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T04:16:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-1194"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=774716"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/18/3"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X4FX-G8RH-WXJ5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:05 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:05It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the openjdk-14 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-32550"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-12T04:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "It was discovered that read_file() in apport/hookutils.py would follow symbolic links or open FIFOs. When this function is used by the openjdk-14 package apport hooks, it could expose private data to other local users.",
"id": "GHSA-x4fx-g8rh-wxj5",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:05:16Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:05:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32550"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/+bug/1917904"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X4HP-453H-HP48
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-20 18:32 – Updated: 2026-07-20 18:32The mv, cp, and rm file utilities exposed within the ExtremeXOS (EXOS) shell environment fail to safely canonicalize paths and follow symbolic links outside of the intended privilege boundary. An attacker with low-privilege CLI access can create a symbolic link that references a privileged filesystem location and then invoke the affected utilities to read, modify, or replace security-critical files outside of their authorized scope. Under certain conditions, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation is possible remotely by an attacker holding a low-privilege account, or locally via the serial console.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-8170"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-20T18:16:56Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The mv, cp, and rm file utilities exposed within the ExtremeXOS (EXOS) shell environment fail to safely canonicalize paths and follow symbolic links outside of the intended privilege boundary. An attacker with low-privilege CLI access can create a symbolic link that references a privileged filesystem location and then invoke the affected utilities to read, modify, or replace security-critical files outside of their authorized scope. Under certain conditions, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation is possible remotely by an attacker holding a low-privilege account, or locally via the serial console.",
"id": "GHSA-x4hp-453h-hp48",
"modified": "2026-07-20T18:32:34Z",
"published": "2026-07-20T18:32:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8170"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.extremenetworks.com/support/policies/product-security"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"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-X4V8-3282-QP44
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:54 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:54fish before 2.1.1 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/fishd.log.%s, (2) /tmp/.pac-cache.$USER, (3) /tmp/.yum-cache.$USER, or (4) /tmp/.rpm-cache.$USER.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-3219"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-02-09T22:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "fish before 2.1.1 allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /tmp/fishd.log.%s, (2) /tmp/.pac-cache.$USER, (3) /tmp/.yum-cache.$USER, or (4) /tmp/.rpm-cache.$USER.",
"id": "GHSA-x4v8-3282-qp44",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:54:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:54:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-3219"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/fish-shell/fish-shell/issues/1440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/fish-shell/fish-shell/commit/3225d7e169a9edb2f470c26989e7bc8e0d0355ce"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1092091"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2014-May/132751.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00059.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-09/msg00071.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201412-49.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/05/06/3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/09/28/8"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/67115"
}
],
"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-X4VJ-279X-QWF2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:48 – Updated: 2023-01-27 00:50lib/vlad/dba/mysql.rb in the VladTheEnterprising gem 0.2 for Ruby allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on /tmp/my.cnf.#{target_host}.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "RubyGems",
"name": "VladTheEnterprising"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"last_affected": "0.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-4996"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2023-01-27T00:50:46Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2018-01-10T18:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "`lib/vlad/dba/mysql.rb` in the VladTheEnterprising gem 0.2 for Ruby allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on `/tmp/my.cnf.#{target_host}`.",
"id": "GHSA-x4vj-279x-qwf2",
"modified": "2023-01-27T00:50:46Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:48:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/94744"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20200229054941/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/68731"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/07/14"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/17/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vapid.dhs.org/advisories/VladTheEnterprising-0.2.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "VladTheEnterprising allows local users to write to arbitrary files via a symlink attack"
}
GHSA-X52H-WV3H-PXC9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-13 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-13 18:31Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-20941"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T18:16:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Host Process for Windows Tasks allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-x52h-wv3h-pxc9",
"modified": "2026-01-13T18:31:10Z",
"published": "2026-01-13T18:31:10Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20941"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20941"
}
],
"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-X5M4-62F7-C437
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:01 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:01Exim 4 before 4.94.2 allows Execution with Unnecessary Privileges. Because Exim operates as root in the log directory (owned by a non-root user), a symlink or hard link attack allows overwriting critical root-owned files anywhere on the filesystem.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-28007"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-05-06T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Exim 4 before 4.94.2 allows Execution with Unnecessary Privileges. Because Exim operates as root in the log directory (owned by a non-root user), a symlink or hard link attack allows overwriting critical root-owned files anywhere on the filesystem.",
"id": "GHSA-x5m4-62f7-c437",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:01:40Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:01:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-28007"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2020-qualys/CVE-2020-28007-LFDIR.txt"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-X682-HGRR-H4QW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-12 00:32 – Updated: 2025-02-12 00:32A vulnerability in the uninstaller component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Mac OS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to corrupt the content of any file in the filesystem. The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a symbolic link (symlink) to a target file on a specific path. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to corrupt the contents of the file. If the file is a critical systems file, the exploit could lead to a denial of service condition. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-3432"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-12T00:15:07Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the uninstaller component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Mac OS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to corrupt the content of any file in the filesystem.\n The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of directory paths. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a symbolic link (symlink) to a target file on a specific path. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to corrupt the contents of the file. If the file is a critical systems file, the exploit could lead to a denial of service condition. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have valid credentials on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-x682-hgrr-h4qw",
"modified": "2025-02-12T00:32:17Z",
"published": "2025-02-12T00:32:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3432"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-anyconnect-mac-dos-36s2y3Lv"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/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.