#VU110252 Link following in Go programming language - CVE-2025-0913

Vulnerability identifier: #VU110252

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-0913

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Go programming language
Universal components / Libraries / Scripting languages

Vendor: Google

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to an insecure link following issue within the os.OpenFile(path, os.O_CREATE|O_EXCL) method when handling dangling symlinks on Windows systems. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link and write arbitrary files to the system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Go programming language: 1.23.0, 1.23.1, 1.23.2, 1.23.3, 1.23.4, 1.23.5, 1.23.6, 1.23.7, 1.23.8, 1.23.9, 1.24 rc1, 1.24 rc2, 1.24 rc.3, 1.24.0, 1.24.1, 1.24.2, 1.24.3

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External links
https://groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/ufZ8WpEsA3A/m/XDxq7uidAgAJ
https://github.com/golang/go/issues/73702

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.