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.

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity High

Privileges Required Low

Attack Requirements Present

User Interaction Passive

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact None

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact High

Vulnerable System Availability Impact None

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity High

Privileges Required Low

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact None

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact None

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

No EPSS score available.

Key SSVC decision points have not yet been added.

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions
libexpat project libexpat unaffected
Version Status Constraints
0 affected ≤ 2.10.0

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Project Subscriptions

Vendors Products
Libexpat Project Subscribe
Libexpat Subscribe
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.

Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

References
Link Providers
https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat cve-icon
https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/blob/R_2_10_0/expat/xmlwf/xmlwf.c#L1272-L1275 cve-icon
https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/blob/R_2_10_0/expat/xmlwf/xmlwf.c#L1338-L1347 cve-icon
https://github.com/libexpat/libexpat/pull/1502 cve-icon
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/libexpat-xmlwf-through-2.10.0-symlink-following-via-d-output-directory cve-icon
History

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 09:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values 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.
Title libexpat xmlwf through 2.10.0 Symlink Following via -d Output Directory
First Time appeared Libexpat Project
Libexpat Project libexpat
Weaknesses CWE-59
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:libexpat_project:libexpat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Libexpat Project
Libexpat Project libexpat
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 4.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-11-13T09:33:46.216Z

Reserved: 2026-11-12T23:11:45.421Z

Link: CVE-2026-128241

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

No data.

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses