CVE-2023-51636

SYSTEM code execution via symlink-directed file deletion

Published May 22, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Link following in the Avira Spotlight Service in Avira Prime 1.1.94.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. The privileged service follows an attacker-created symbolic link during file deletion, redirecting the operation to an unintended target. Low-privileged code execution is required, and successful exploitation converts controlled file deletion into full SYSTEM privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.96%
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 the Avira Spotlight Service in Avira Prime 1.1.94.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. The privileged service follows an attacker-created symbolic link during file deletion, redirecting the operation to an unintended target. Low-privileged code execution is required, and successful exploitation converts controlled file deletion into full SYSTEM privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-51636
Published
May 22, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Avira
Product
Avira Prime
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 22, 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=1.1.94.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Avira · Avira Primeversion=1.1.94.4

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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