What does Windows error code 4395 (ERROR_REPARSE_POINT_ENCOUNTERED) mean?

 
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ERROR_REPARSE_TAG_MISMATCH ERROR_APP_DATA_NOT_FOUND

ERROR_REPARSE_POINT_ENCOUNTERED

Path traversal encountered a reparse point instead of the expected ordinary object

Some APIs or low-level open options deliberately stop when a reparse point is encountered rather than transparently following it. The result allows security-sensitive, backup, migration, and file-system tools to inspect the reparse object or reject namespace redirection. It does not imply that the point is malformed.

Determine whether following reparse points is appropriate for the operation. A backup tool may preserve the reparse stream; a deletion tool may need to remove the link rather than its target; a security boundary may refuse name-surrogate traversal altogether. Record the component and tag at which resolution stopped, then open with explicit flags and privileges suited to inspecting or handling that specific point.

What to inspect

  • Identify the path component that contains the reparse point.
  • Choose explicitly between following, preserving, or rejecting it.
  • Protect against target substitution between validation and open.

References


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