grav: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
CVE-2026-72696 is a high-severity improper link resolution before file access vulnerability in grav, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.0.16 as the first without the flaw, so updating grav to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update grav to 2.0.16 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.6 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.4 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Grav CMS before 2.0.16 contains a symlink following vulnerability in Scheduler Job::createLockFile() that allows local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files by pre-creating symlinks at predictable lock file paths in the world-writable temp directory. Attackers can place a symlink at the predictable lock path pointing to any file the web server process can write to, and the next scheduled job run will follow the symlink and overwrite the target file's content with the job ID string.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system. Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
More Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities (CWE-59)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in grav
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.4 High severity
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