Symlink flaw in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA allows arbitrary file writes
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.3 is affected. The plugin archive extraction code follows symbolic links without checking where they point (CWE-59), so files can be written outside the intended directory. A local attacker without privileges can cause arbitrary file writes when user interaction occurs, impacting integrity and availability.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.3 arbitrary file write was possible via symlinks when extracting plugin archives
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2026.3 fixes this flaw, so upgrade from earlier versions to 2026.3.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA IntelliJ IDEA (JetBrains) Fixed in 2026.3
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2026.3
21 records Highest priority Priority LOW 21 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-86000 Code execution via symlinks in IntelliJ IDEA settings archive importPriority LOW 35
- TI-2026-85997 Code execution in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA Safe Mode via UI DesignerPriority LOW 35
- TI-2026-85846 Path traversal in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA via Dev Container archivesPriority LOW 35
Timeline
- 2026-11-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-123842
- 2026-11-06 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-11-06 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-06 Alias added: GHSA-m67g-5rw4-gf98
References
More JetBrains vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-45031 Deserialization of untrusted data in JetBrains TeamCity KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-18053 In JetBrains TeamCity before 2023.11.4 authentication bypass allowing to perform admin actions was possible KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-22884 In JetBrains TeamCity before 2023.05.4 authentication bypass leading to RCE on TeamCity Server was possible KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-18054 In JetBrains TeamCity before 2023.11.4 path traversal allowing to perform limited admin actions was possible KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.3
- TI-2024-15905 In JetBrains TeamCity before 2023.11.3 authentication bypass leading to RCE was possible CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-24589 Insufficiently protected credentials in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.3
Sources
- CVE-2026-123842 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-123842 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-m67g-5rw4-gf98 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences