# NousResearch/hermes-agent · macOS symlink bypass of write deny list

## Open now

- Nothing open on GitHub.

Multiple reports and proposed fixes for a security issue where the write deny list in file operations can be bypassed on macOS via symlinks (e.g., /private/etc). The cluster covers the vulnerability report and several candidate patches resolving symlinks before path checks.

## TL;DR

- 6 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 2 closed issue(s), 0 open PR(s), 1 merged PR(s), 3 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #9008. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #9008 (and any competing PRs below) before filing. Confirm the merged change covers your symptom.

## Maintainer resolution verdict

- Internal-tracker verdict over this cluster's issue members: `partially_resolved` · deciding PR(s): `pr-9008`. This is distinct from the fix status above. Weigh it yourself.

## How this cluster was grouped

- Link evidence (`STRUCTURAL_PARTIAL`): some members are connected by structural evidence (shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference); the rest are joined by an automated relevance judgement over their text.
- Members outside that structural core may belong to a different underlying problem.
- Pairwise link density `0.29`: the share of member pairs that carry a link, counting a structural link in full and a relevance-only link at 0.36. `1.00` means every pair is linked.

## Closed / duplicate issues

- #8031: Security: write deny list in file_operations.py bypassed via symlinks
- #8734: Path Write Protection Bypass via \`/private/etc\` Symlink

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#9008: fix(file_tools): block /private/etc writes on macOS symlink bypass**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`; implication `superseded`
  - files: `tests/tools/test_file_write_safety.py`, `tools/file_tools.py`
- **#8051: fix(security): resolve symlinks before checking write deny list**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `implemented_elsewhere`; implication `superseded`; refs `9b36636363`, `#8031`
- **#8746: fix: block /private/etc writes on macOS (symlink bypass)**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `merged_via`; implication `superseded`; refs `#9008`
- **#8829: fix(file_tools): block sensitive paths before and after symlink resol…**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `merged_via`; implication `superseded`; refs `#9008`, `#8746`

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #9008 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-04-13`. This confirmation is old and may be out of date (a revert/reopen would not have invalidated it here); re-verify.
- Subsystem: `agent`