CVE-2026-13268

SYSTEM code execution via Backup Service symlink

Published Jul 29, 2026 · Updated Jul 29, 2026

Link-following in G DATA Total Security 25.5.19.439 allows local users to escalate privileges through the Windows Backup Service. The service follows an attacker-created symbolic link and deletes its target with service privileges instead of validating the path. Low-privileged code execution on the host is required; deletion of a protected file can be chained to arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.15%
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 G DATA Total Security 25.5.19.439 allows local users to escalate privileges through the Windows Backup Service. The service follows an attacker-created symbolic link and deletes its target with service privileges instead of validating the path. Low-privileged code execution on the host is required; deletion of a protected file can be chained to arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-13268
Published
Jul 29, 2026
Updated
Jul 29, 2026
Vendor
G DATA CyberDefense AG
Product
G DATA Total Security
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 29, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 29, 2026Record 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=25.5.19.439

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

G DATA CyberDefense AG · G DATA Total Securityversion=25.5.19.439

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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