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.
2323 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-RH99-WC69-C255
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-30 20:57 – Updated: 2026-04-30 20:57Impact
The Kata agent policies generated by the Contrast CLI had an issue in the CopyFile verification, which allowed arbitrary writes to the guest root filesytem. A malicious process on the host with the capability to connect to the Kata agent VSOCK could connect to the agent and issue a series of CopyFile requests to overwrite security-critical files or trick the workload into disclosing sensitive data, which effectively amounts to a full guest takeover.
Patches
This issue has been patched in Contrast v1.19.1.
Note that this fix does not change the fact that host-provided content is generally not trustworthy, as documented.
Workarounds
If upgrading is not possible, users can implement the fix in rego and pass it to contrast generate --policy. The rego-only fix is a bit trickier than the patch, because the data to check is binary. See the references for details.
Resources
- Upstream GHSA: https://github.com/kata-containers/kata-containers/security/advisories/GHSA-q49m-57vm-c8cc
- Alternative policy-only fix: https://gist.github.com/burgerdev/304dd0ab0fff1665b7c27e18a30cf96e
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/edgelesssys/contrast"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.19.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-30T20:57:17Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "### Impact\n\nThe [Kata agent policies](https://docs.edgeless.systems/contrast/architecture/components/policies) generated by the Contrast CLI had an issue in the `CopyFile` verification, which allowed arbitrary writes to the guest root filesytem. A malicious process on the host with the capability to connect to the Kata agent VSOCK could connect to the agent and issue a series of `CopyFile` requests to overwrite security-critical files or trick the workload into disclosing sensitive data, which effectively amounts to a full guest takeover.\n\n### Patches\n\nThis issue has been patched in Contrast v1.19.1.\n\nNote that this fix does not change the fact that host-provided content is generally not trustworthy, as documented.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nIf upgrading is not possible, users can implement the fix in rego and pass it to `contrast generate --policy`. The rego-only fix is a bit trickier than the patch, because the data to check is binary. See the references for details.\n\n### Resources\n\n* Upstream GHSA: https://github.com/kata-containers/kata-containers/security/advisories/GHSA-q49m-57vm-c8cc\n* Alternative policy-only fix: https://gist.github.com/burgerdev/304dd0ab0fff1665b7c27e18a30cf96e",
"id": "GHSA-rh99-wc69-c255",
"modified": "2026-04-30T20:57:17Z",
"published": "2026-04-30T20:57:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/edgelesssys/contrast/security/advisories/GHSA-rh99-wc69-c255"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/kata-containers/kata-containers/security/advisories/GHSA-q49m-57vm-c8cc"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://gist.github.com/burgerdev/304dd0ab0fff1665b7c27e18a30cf96e"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/edgelesssys/contrast"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/edgelesssys/contrast/releases/tag/v1.19.1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Contras Affected by CopyFile Policy Subversion via Symlinks"
}
GHSA-RHM2-XQ3F-F6VJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 00:10 – Updated: 2022-05-02 00:10The to-upgrade plugin in feta 1.4.16 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink on the (1) /tmp/feta.install.$USER and (2) /tmp/feta.avail.$USER temporary files.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-4440"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-10-03T22:22:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The to-upgrade plugin in feta 1.4.16 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink on the (1) /tmp/feta.install.$USER and (2) /tmp/feta.avail.$USER temporary files.",
"id": "GHSA-rhm2-xq3f-f6vj",
"modified": "2022-05-02T00:10:08Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T00:10:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235770"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=496397"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://dev.gentoo.org/~rbu/security/debiantemp/feta"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32155"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1643"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/30/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30899"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-RJ6W-J3QM-R3RG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31G DATA Total Security GDBackupSvc Service Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of G Data Total Security. 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 GDBackupSvc service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file with a permissive DACL. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-20694.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-42126"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "G DATA Total Security GDBackupSvc Service Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of G Data Total Security. 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 GDBackupSvc service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file with a permissive DACL. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-20694.",
"id": "GHSA-rj6w-j3qm-r3rg",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:04Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-42126"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1493"
}
],
"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-RJJX-559W-3H9W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-04 12:30 – Updated: 2023-04-11 18:30Dell PowerScale OneFS version 9.5.0.0 contains improper link resolution before file access vulnerability in isi_gather_info. A low privilege local attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to system takeover and it breaks the compliance mode guarantees.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-25940"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-04-04T11:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dell PowerScale OneFS version 9.5.0.0 contains improper link resolution before file access vulnerability in isi_gather_info. A low privilege local attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to system takeover and it breaks the compliance mode guarantees.",
"id": "GHSA-rjjx-559w-3h9w",
"modified": "2023-04-11T18:30:30Z",
"published": "2023-04-04T12:30:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25940"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000211539/dell-emc-powerscale-onefs-security"
}
],
"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-RM6C-XGJF-VHWG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:47 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:38Unspecified tests in Lynis before 2.5.0 allow local users to write to arbitrary files or possibly gain privileges via a symlink attack on a temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-8108"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-08T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unspecified tests in Lynis before 2.5.0 allow local users to write to arbitrary files or possibly gain privileges via a symlink attack on a temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-rm6c-xgjf-vhwg",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:38:42Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:47:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-8108"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cisofy.com/security/cve/cve-2017-8108"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/CISOfy/lynis/releases/tag/2.5.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/UJXMPYANXHI25NQZ36QMXNXANDRAA5YG"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZJHLLWNW7NASVXCK24YBSIUQQPWGCMB5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/UJXMPYANXHI25NQZ36QMXNXANDRAA5YG"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ZJHLLWNW7NASVXCK24YBSIUQQPWGCMB5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99288"
}
],
"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-RMVC-X4JP-8Q6J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-11 18:31 – Updated: 2025-02-11 18:31Windows Setup Files Cleanup Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-21419"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-11T18:15:40Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Windows Setup Files Cleanup Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
"id": "GHSA-rmvc-x4jp-8q6j",
"modified": "2025-02-11T18:31:40Z",
"published": "2025-02-11T18:31:40Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-21419"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21419"
}
],
"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:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-RMW3-4V45-RJ33
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 00:01 – Updated: 2022-05-26 00:01Trend Micro Password Manager (Consumer) version 5.0.0.1266 and below is vulnerable to a Link Following Privilege Escalation Vulnerability that could allow a low privileged local attacker to delete the contents of an arbitrary folder as SYSTEM which can then be used for privilege escalation on the affected machine.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-30523"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-16T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Trend Micro Password Manager (Consumer) version 5.0.0.1266 and below is vulnerable to a Link Following Privilege Escalation Vulnerability that could allow a low privileged local attacker to delete the contents of an arbitrary folder as SYSTEM which can then be used for privilege escalation on the affected machine.",
"id": "GHSA-rmw3-4v45-rj33",
"modified": "2022-05-26T00:01:26Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T00:01:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-30523"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpcenter.trendmicro.com/en-us/article/tmka-09071"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-759"
}
],
"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-RP64-JC8M-27WC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-12 21:30 – Updated: 2024-11-12 21:30A code injection vulnerability in the SecuSUITE Server Web Administration Portal of SecuSUITE versions 5.0.420 and earlier could allow an attacker to potentially inject script commands or other executable content into the server that would run with root privilege.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-51721"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-12T19:15:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A code injection vulnerability in the SecuSUITE Server Web Administration Portal of SecuSUITE versions 5.0.420 and earlier could allow an attacker to potentially inject script commands or other executable content into the server that would run with root privilege.",
"id": "GHSA-rp64-jc8m-27wc",
"modified": "2024-11-12T21:30:54Z",
"published": "2024-11-12T21:30:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-51721"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.blackberry.com/pkb/s/article/140220"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-RP9W-778V-4H8M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-13 21:32 – Updated: 2026-05-14 18:32The locally served web site on the Garmin WDU (v1 1.4.6 and v2 5.0) allows a symlink attack. If a malicious graphics package containing symlinks is uploaded, the web server follows the supplied links when serving content. No mechanisms to restrict those link targets to a specific area of the filesystem is enabled. This allows an attacker to retrieve arbitrary files from the device.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-27850"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-13T21:16:41Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The locally served web site on the Garmin WDU (v1 1.4.6 and v2 5.0) allows a symlink attack. If a malicious graphics package containing symlinks is uploaded, the web server follows the supplied links when serving content. No mechanisms to restrict those link targets to a specific area of the filesystem is enabled. This allows an attacker to retrieve arbitrary files from the device.",
"id": "GHSA-rp9w-778v-4h8m",
"modified": "2026-05-14T18:32:52Z",
"published": "2026-05-13T21:32:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-27850"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://garmin.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www8.garmin.com/support/ch.jsp?product=010-02642-00"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-RPGH-5P2M-VXQX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:13 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:13A UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the packaging of exim in openSUSE Factory allows local attackers to escalate from user mail to root. This issue affects: openSUSE Factory exim versions prior to 4.93.0.4-3.1.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-8015"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-04-02T08:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the packaging of exim in openSUSE Factory allows local attackers to escalate from user mail to root. This issue affects: openSUSE Factory exim versions prior to 4.93.0.4-3.1.",
"id": "GHSA-rpgh-5p2m-vxqx",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:13:19Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:13:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1154183"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-04/msg00010.html"
}
],
"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.