Anthropic claude-code up to 2.1.6 Setting settings.json symlink

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.7$0-$5k0.14

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Anthropic claude-code up to 2.1.6. It has been classified as critical. This impacts an unknown function of the file settings.json of the component Setting Handler. Performing a manipulation results in symlink. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-25724. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Anthropic claude-code up to 2.1.6. This affects an unknown code block of the file settings.json of the component Setting Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a symlink vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-61. The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Claude Code is an agentic coding tool. Prior to version 2.1.7, Claude Code failed to strictly enforce deny rules configured in settings.json when accessing files through symbolic links. If a user explicitly denied Claude Code access to a file (such as /etc/passwd) and Claude Code had access to a symbolic link pointing to that file, it was possible for Claude Code to read the restricted file through the symlink without triggering deny rule enforcement. This issue has been patched in version 2.1.7.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-25724 since 02/05/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

By approaching the search of inurl:settings.json it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 305984 (Anthropic Claude Code < 2.1.7 Permission Deny Bypass Through Symbolic Links (CVE-2026-25724)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 2.1.7 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (305984). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.7

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Symlink
CWE: CWE-61 / CWE-59
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Google Hack: 🔒

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 305984
Nessus Name: Anthropic Claude Code < 2.1.7 Permission Deny Bypass Through Symbolic Links (CVE-2026-25724)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: claude-code 2.1.7

Timelineinfo

02/05/2026 CVE reserved
02/06/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
02/06/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/11/2026 +64 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: GHSA-4q92-rfm6-2cqx
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-25724 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-25724
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-344727

Entryinfo

Created: 02/06/2026 21:24
Updated: 04/11/2026 11:15
Changes: 02/06/2026 21:24 (69), 02/09/2026 15:57 (11), 03/17/2026 16:50 (2), 03/28/2026 00:07 (1), 04/11/2026 11:15 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:2E2:103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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