CVE-2025-15314: Tanium Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-15314 Overview

CVE-2025-15314 is an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability affecting Tanium's end-user-cx component. This vulnerability, classified under CWE-59 (Improper Link Resolution Before File Access), allows a local attacker with low privileges to delete arbitrary files on the target system through symlink manipulation. The vulnerability requires local access but can be exploited without any user interaction.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to delete critical system files or application data, potentially causing denial of service conditions or disrupting endpoint management operations.

Affected Products

• Tanium end-user-cx (specific vulnerable versions not disclosed)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-10 - CVE CVE-2025-15314 published to NVD
• 2026-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15314

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks) within Tanium's end-user-cx component. When the application performs file operations, it fails to properly validate whether the target path has been replaced with a symbolic link pointing to a different location. This allows an attacker to create a malicious symlink that redirects file deletion operations to arbitrary files on the system.

The attack requires local access to the system and low-level privileges to execute. While the vulnerability does not directly enable data exfiltration or code execution, the integrity impact is significant as attackers can delete files they should not have access to modify or remove.

Root Cause

The root cause is a CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access vulnerability. The end-user-cx component does not adequately verify that file paths remain within expected directories or that they have not been substituted with symbolic links before performing file deletion operations. This Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) style flaw allows attackers to win a race condition or simply pre-stage symlinks to redirect file operations.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target system. An attacker with low-privilege access can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Identifying a location where end-user-cx performs predictable file deletion operations
2. Creating a symbolic link at that location pointing to a target file the attacker wishes to delete
3. Waiting for or triggering the file deletion operation
4. The application follows the symlink and deletes the target file instead of the intended file

This technique is commonly known as a symlink attack or symbolic link following vulnerability. The attacker could target critical system configuration files, security software components, or application data to cause denial of service or disrupt system functionality.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15314

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected creation of symbolic links in directories used by Tanium end-user-cx
• Unexplained deletion of system or application files coinciding with end-user-cx operations
• File system audit logs showing symlink creation by non-administrative users in Tanium-related directories
• Service disruptions or application failures caused by missing configuration or data files

Detection Strategies

• Enable file system auditing to monitor symbolic link creation in directories associated with Tanium components
• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on critical system files to detect unauthorized deletions
• Monitor process behavior of end-user-cx for unusual file operations or access to sensitive directories
• Review system logs for evidence of symlink manipulation or TOCTOU attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure SentinelOne's Storyline feature to correlate file system events with Tanium process activity
• Deploy file integrity monitoring rules for critical system directories and Tanium installation paths
• Set up alerts for symbolic link creation events by low-privilege users in application directories
• Monitor for sudden file deletion patterns that deviate from normal operational baselines

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15314

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the Tanium Security Advisory TAN-2025-010 for vendor guidance and patch information
• Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable versions of end-user-cx where possible
• Implement strict file system permissions on directories used by Tanium components
• Enable enhanced auditing on Tanium-related file paths to detect potential exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Tanium has addressed this vulnerability. Organizations should consult Tanium Security Advisory TAN-2025-010 for specific patch versions and upgrade instructions. Apply the vendor-provided security update as soon as possible following your organization's change management procedures.

Workarounds

• Restrict local login access to systems where end-user-cx is deployed
• Implement strict directory permissions to prevent unauthorized users from creating files or symlinks in Tanium-controlled directories
• Use application whitelisting or endpoint protection to monitor for suspicious file system manipulation
• Consider implementing mount options like nosymfollow on relevant file systems where supported