CVE-2020-15401Public exploit

Arbitrary file deletion via chained Windows links

Published Jun 30, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Link following in IObit Malware Fighter Pro 8.0.2.547 allows local users to delete arbitrary files through malware-removal handling. Its privileged removal path accepts a flagged file location without rejecting an NTFS junction chained to an Object Manager symbolic link, causing deletion to follow both redirects. Local access, high privileges, and control of the flagged path are required; successful exploitation deletes files with the security product's elevated rights.

CVSS severity4.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.38%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Link following in IObit Malware Fighter Pro 8.0.2.547 allows local users to delete arbitrary files through malware-removal handling. Its privileged removal path accepts a flagged file location without rejecting an NTFS junction chained to an Object Manager symbolic link, causing deletion to follow both redirects. Local access, high privileges, and control of the flagged path are required; successful exploitation deletes files with the security product's elevated rights.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-15401
Published
Jun 30, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-59, CAPEC-132, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 30, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

4.4NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CAPEC-132Symlink Attack
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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