Arbitrary file write via template-repository symlink following
Published Dec 25, 2025 · Updated Dec 25, 2025
Symlink following in Forgejo before 11.0.7 and 12.0.0 through 13.0.1 allows attackers to overwrite server files. During repository creation from a template, Forgejo reads a matched template file through an out-of-repository symlink, expands variables, and writes the result back through the link rather than confining access to the new repository. Shell access additionally requires guessable sensitive paths, SSH Git access, Forgejo-managed authorized_keys with the internal SSH server disabled, and the ability to craft the necessary repositories.
Summary
What happened
Symlink following in Forgejo before 11.0.7 and 12.0.0 through 13.0.1 allows attackers to overwrite server files. During repository creation from a template, Forgejo reads a matched template file through an out-of-repository symlink, expands variables, and writes the result back through the link rather than confining access to the new repository. Shell access additionally requires guessable sensitive paths, SSH Git access, Forgejo-managed authorized_keys with the internal SSH server disabled, and the ability to craft the necessary repositories.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-68937
- Published
- Dec 25, 2025
- Updated
- Dec 25, 2025
- Vendor
- Forgejo
- Product
- Forgejo
- Classifications
- CWE-61, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 25, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Dec 25, 2025Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <11.0.7
- Affected versionversion=12.0.0 <13.0.2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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