CVE Vulnerabilities

CVE-2011-4116

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

Published: Jan 31, 2020 | Modified: Aug 04, 2025
CVSS 3.x
3.3
LOW
Source:
NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
CVSS 2.x
1.5 LOW
AV:L/AC:M/Au:S/C:N/I:P/A:N
RedHat/V2
1.9 LOW
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
RedHat/V3
Ubuntu
LOW
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_is_safe in the File::Temp module for Perl does not properly handle symlinks.

Weakness

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.

Affected Software

NameVendorStart VersionEnd Version
File::tempCpan- (including)- (including)
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntuhardy*
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntulucid*
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntumaverick*
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntunatty*
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntuoneiric*
Libfile-temp-perlUbuntuupstream*
PerlUbuntudevel*
PerlUbuntuhardy*
PerlUbuntulucid*
PerlUbuntumaverick*
PerlUbuntunatty*
PerlUbuntuoneiric*
PerlUbuntuprecise*
PerlUbuntuquantal*
PerlUbuntuupstream*

Potential Mitigations

  • 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.

References