CVE-2026-6851: Bitdefender Total Security privilege escalation in File Shredder

CVE-2026-6851 · Severity: info · CVSS 7 · Published 2026-07-14

A security flaw exists in the File Shredder tool within Bitdefender's Windows security suites, which is designed to permanently delete sensitive files. An attacker who already has limited access to a computer could exploit this flaw to gain full administrative control over the system. This could allow them to bypass security protections, access private data, or disrupt operations.

Technologies: Bitdefender Internet Security, Bitdefender Total Security. Vendors: Bitdefender.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-6851 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-6851 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-6851?
Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 7, published 14 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Bitdefender Internet Security before 27.0.58.315; Bitdefender Total Security before 27.0.58.315.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-6851?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2026-6851 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-6851?
Check whether you run Bitdefender Internet Security or Bitdefender Total Security at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

An improper link resolution (CWE-59) vulnerability exists in the File Shredder module of Bitdefender Total Security and Internet Security for Windows. The flaw stems from a race condition during file access where the application fails to properly validate a file path before performing shredding operations. A local, low-privileged attacker can exploit this by creating symbolic links to sensitive system files. If a user with higher privileges interacts with the shredder, the attacker can leverage the race condition to gain elevated rights. The issue is resolved in version 27.0.58.315.

Affected products

  • Bitdefender Total Security before 27.0.58.315
  • Bitdefender Internet Security before 27.0.58.315

Timeline

  • 2026-07-14: advisory
  • 2026-07-14: disclosed

References

This page as Markdown. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.