CVE-2023-42099

SYSTEM code execution via symbolic-link file deletion

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Aug 15, 2024

Link-following in Intel Driver & Support Assistant 23.3.25.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The DSA Service follows an attacker-created symbolic link while performing a privileged file deletion, allowing an attacker-chosen file to be removed. Low-privileged code execution on the Windows host is required; successful exploitation reaches SYSTEM and can execute arbitrary code.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.31%
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 Intel Driver & Support Assistant 23.3.25.6 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The DSA Service follows an attacker-created symbolic link while performing a privileged file deletion, allowing an attacker-chosen file to be removed. Low-privileged code execution on the Windows host is required; successful exploitation reaches SYSTEM and can execute arbitrary code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42099
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Aug 15, 2024
Vendor
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
Product
Intel Driver & Support Assistant
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 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=23.3.25.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. · Intel Driver & Support Assistantversion=23.3.25.6

Published CVSS scores

7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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