CVE-2026-27748 Avira Internet Security Arbitrary File Deletion via Improper Link Resolution
Local attackers can exploit improper link resolution in the Software Updater to delete arbitrary files with SYSTEM privileges, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-27748?
CVE-2026-27748 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Gen Digital Inc. Avira Internet Security, published on 5 Mar 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Avira Internet Security contains an improper link resolution vulnerability in the Software Updater component. During the update process, a privileged service running as SYSTEM deletes a file under C:\\ProgramData without validating whether the path resolves through a symbolic link or reparse point. A local attacker can create a malicious link to redirect the delete operation to an arbitrary file, resulting in deletion of attacker-chosen files with SYSTEM privileges. This may lead to local privilege escalation, denial of service, or system integrity compromise depending on the targeted file and operating system configuration.
Weakness: CWE-59
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-27748?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Avira Internet Security.
How do I fix CVE-2026-27748?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-27748 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-27748 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-27748 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in Gen Digital Inc. Avira Internet Security
Sources
Also known as GHSA-w3vx-x8fj-r29m.