CVE-2026-27748Public exploit

SYSTEM-level file deletion via unchecked updater symlink

Published Mar 5, 2026 · Updated Mar 5, 2026

Improper link resolution in Avira Internet Security 1.1.109.1990 and earlier allows local users to delete arbitrary files as SYSTEM. The Software Updater deletes C:\ProgramData\OPSWAT\MDES SDK\wa_3rd_party_host_32.exe without checking whether its path resolves through a symlink or reparse point. Triggering an update after planting the link gives a low-privileged local user a SYSTEM-level delete primitive; pre-24H2 Windows supports privilege escalation, while later releases face integrity loss or an unspecified denial of service.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.18%
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 Avira Internet Security 1.1.109.1990 and earlier allows local users to delete arbitrary files as SYSTEM. The Software Updater deletes C:\ProgramData\OPSWAT\MDES SDK\wa_3rd_party_host_32.exe without checking whether its path resolves through a symlink or reparse point. Triggering an update after planting the link gives a low-privileged local user a SYSTEM-level delete primitive; pre-24H2 Windows supports privilege escalation, while later releases face integrity loss or an unspecified denial of service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-27748
Published
Mar 5, 2026
Updated
Mar 5, 2026
Vendor
Gen Digital
Product
Avira Internet Security
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 5, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 5, 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=0 <=1.1.109.1990

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Gen Digital · Avira Internet Securityversion=0 <=1.1.109.1990

Published CVSS scores

7.8NortonLifeLock Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
8.5VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

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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