CVE-2011-4116Public exploit

Local file redirection via unsafe symlink traversal

Published Jan 31, 2020 · Updated Aug 7, 2024

Improper link resolution in Perl File::Temp allows local users to redirect temporary file creation through attacker-owned symlinks. The _is_safe routine accepts a path whose symlink or hardlink chain traverses directories not owned by root or the calling user. Exploitation requires local filesystem access and a more privileged process using that path, enabling attacker-directed file placement or modification.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Perl File::Temp allows local users to redirect temporary file creation through attacker-owned symlinks. The _is_safe routine accepts a path whose symlink or hardlink chain traverses directories not owned by root or the calling user. Exploitation requires local filesystem access and a more privileged process using that path, enabling attacker-directed file placement or modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2011-4116
Published
Jan 31, 2020
Updated
Aug 7, 2024
Vendor
Perl
Product
File::Temp
Classifications
CWE-59
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 31, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 7, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=unknown

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Perl · File::Tempversion=unknown

Published CVSS scores

1.5NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:S/C:N/I:P/A:N
3.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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