CVE-2023-42126

SYSTEM code execution via GDBackupSvc symbolic link

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Improper link resolution in GDBackupSvc in G DATA Total Security 25.5.14.95 and earlier allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges. GDBackupSvc follows an attacker-created symbolic link and creates the linked file with a permissive DACL instead of securely resolving its destination. Low-privileged code execution on the Windows host is required, after which the attacker can execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.40%
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 GDBackupSvc in G DATA Total Security 25.5.14.95 and earlier allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges. GDBackupSvc follows an attacker-created symbolic link and creates the linked file with a permissive DACL instead of securely resolving its destination. Low-privileged code execution on the Windows host is required, after which the attacker can execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-42126
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
G DATA CyberDefense AG
Product
G DATA Total Security
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 2, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <25.5.14.95
  2. Affected versionversion=25.5.14.95

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

G DATA CyberDefense AG · G DATA Total Securityversion=0 <25.5.14.95; version=25.5.14.95

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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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