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CVE-2026-92253: CWE-59 Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in WatchDog Anti-Virus

0
Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2026-92253cvecve-2026-92253cwe-59
Published: 09/20/2026 (09/20/2026, 12:24:47 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: WatchDog
Product: Anti-Virus

Description

CVE-2026-92253 is a medium severity vulnerability in WatchDog Anti-Virus 1.8.640 through 1.8.803 on Windows. It involves improper link resolution during the quarantine restoration process, allowing a local low-privileged attacker to create a directory junction at the original file path. If an administrator restores the quarantined file, this can cause the file to be written to an arbitrary location, potentially enabling modification of protected files or SYSTEM-level code execution via DLL hijacking.

CVSS v4.0

Score 5.2medium

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
Active
Vuln. Confidentiality
Low
Vuln. Integrity
Low
Vuln. Availability
High
Subsq. Confidentiality
None
Subsq. Integrity
None
Subsq. Availability
None
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/RE:L/U:Green

Affected software

WatchDog

Anti-Virus

Affected versions
>=1.8.640 <1.8.804
GitHub Actionsmore threats →ai
watchdog/anti-virus
pkg:github/watchdog/anti-virus
Affected versions
>=1.8.640 <1.8.804

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AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 09/20/2026, 13:01:29 UTC

Technical Analysis

This vulnerability arises from improper handling of symbolic links (directory junctions) before file access in the quarantine restoration feature of WatchDog Anti-Virus versions >=1.8.640 and <1.8.804 on Windows. A local attacker with low privileges can exploit this by creating a directory junction at the path of a quarantined file and then convincing an administrator to restore that file. The restoration process follows the link, causing the file to be written to an unintended location. This can lead to modification of protected system files or execution of code with SYSTEM privileges through DLL hijacking techniques.

Potential Impact

The vulnerability allows local low-privileged attackers to influence the location where quarantined files are restored by exploiting improper link resolution. This can result in unauthorized modification of protected files or enable SYSTEM-level code execution via DLL hijacking, potentially compromising system integrity and security.

Mitigation Recommendations

No official patch or fix is currently confirmed for this vulnerability. Users should check the vendor advisory for updates. Until a fix is available, administrators should exercise caution when restoring quarantined files, especially verifying the file paths and ensuring no suspicious directory junctions exist at those locations.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.2
Assigner Short Name
watchdog
Date Reserved
2026-09-15T21:07:00.097Z
Cvss Version
4.0
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 6aafd5d655bf5e2cf50c91e0

Added to database: 09/20/2026, 12:47:18 UTC

Last enriched: 09/20/2026, 13:01:29 UTC

Last updated: 09/20/2026, 13:01:29 UTC

Views: 5

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