CVE-2026-128241
libexpat xmlwf through 2.10.0 Symlink Following via -d Output Directory
Description
The xmlwf tool in libexpat through 2.10.0 contains a symlink following vulnerability because -d output mode opens files with fopen("wb"), which follows symbolic links. Local attackers with write access to the output directory can plant a symlink at the expected output name to truncate or overwrite files writable by the xmlwf user.
INFO
Published Date :
Nov. 13, 2026, 10:18 a.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 13, 2026, 10:18 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | MITRE-CVE | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update libexpat to version 2.10.1 or later.
- Ensure output directories are protected from symbolic links.
- Validate file permissions on output directories.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-128241.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-128241 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-128241
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-128241 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-128241 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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New CVE Received by [email protected]
Nov. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description The xmlwf tool in libexpat through 2.10.0 contains a symlink following vulnerability because -d output mode opens files with fopen("wb"), which follows symbolic links. Local attackers with write access to the output directory can plant a symlink at the expected output name to truncate or overwrite files writable by the xmlwf user. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/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 Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N Added CWE CWE-59 Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/128xxx/CVE-2026-128241.json">CVE-2026-128241</a> Added Reference https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat Added Reference https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/blob/R_2_10_0/expat/xmlwf/xmlwf.c#L1272-L1275 Added Reference https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/blob/R_2_10_0/expat/xmlwf/xmlwf.c#L1338-L1347 Added Reference https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/pull/1502 Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/libexpat-xmlwf-through-2.10.0-symlink-following-via-d-output-directory