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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2024-4454: WithSecure Elements · Link Following

Affects WithSecure ElementsSource CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.3 High.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC

CVSS 3.0 base score
7.3High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 34% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 22 May 2024

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
WithSecure ElementsAffected
  • =23.9
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

  1. Monitor WithSecure’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2024-4454 and apply them promptly once released.
  2. Until patches are available, restrict local user permissions to prevent creation of symbolic links or limit local user access on systems running WithSecure Elements.
  3. Implement strict administrative policies to minimize unnecessary administrator user interaction with the plugin hosting service or related components.
  4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts.
  5. Conduct regular audits of local user accounts and permissions to reduce the attack surface.
  6. Educate administrators on the risks of interacting with untrusted files or processes that could trigger the vulnerability.
  7. Use system hardening techniques to restrict symbolic link creation and enforce least privilege principles.
  8. Monitor logs for suspicious symbolic link creation or file access patterns related to the plugin hosting service. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling symbolic link abuse, limiting administrator interaction, and preparing for patch deployment.

Description

WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection. User interaction on the part of an administrator is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the WithSecure plugin hosting service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to create a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-23035.

References

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