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CWE-59

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CWE-59

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Base
Draft

Description

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.

Common Consequences

Scope

Confidentiality
Integrity
Access Control

Impact

Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories, Bypass Protection Mechanism

Scope

Other

Impact

Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and Design

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.

CVE-1999-1386

Some versions of Perl follow symbolic links when running with the -e option, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack.

CVE-2000-1178

Text editor follows symbolic links when creating a rescue copy during an abnormal exit, which allows local users to overwrite the files of other users.

CVE-2004-0217

Antivirus update allows local users to create or append to arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a logfile.

CVE-2003-0517

Symlink attack allows local users to overwrite files.

CVE-2004-0689

Window manager does not properly handle when certain symbolic links point to "stale" locations, which could allow local users to create or truncate arbitrary files.

CVE-2005-1879

Second-order symlink vulnerabilities

CVE-2005-1880

Second-order symlink vulnerabilities

CVE-2005-1916

Symlink in Python program

CVE-2000-0972

Setuid product allows file reading by replacing a file being edited with a symlink to the targeted file, leaking the result in error messages when parsing fails.

CVE-2005-0824

Signal causes a dump that follows symlinks.

+18 more examples

Applicable Platforms

Not Language-Specific

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