Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-59

Allowed

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft

API response cwe.mitre.org

The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.

1987 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-V6XV-RMQC-WCC8

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:45 – Updated: 2023-08-16 22:31
VLAI
Summary
Typo3 Open Redirect In Frontend Rendering
Details

The frontend rendering component in TYPO3 4.5.x before 4.5.39, 4.6.x through 6.2.x before 6.2.9, and 7.x before 7.0.2, allows remote attackers to change URLs to arbitrary domains.

An attacker could forge a request which modifies anchor only links on the homepage of a TYPO3 installation such that they point to arbitrary domains, if the configuration option config.prefixLocalAnchors is used with any possible value. TYPO3 versions 4.6.x and higher are only affected if the homepage is not a shortcut to a different page. As an additional pre-condition, URL rewriting must be enabled in the web server (which it typically is) when using extensions like realurl or cooluri.

Installations where config.absRefPrefix is additionally set to any value are not affected by this vulnerability.

Example of affected configuration:

config.absRefPrefix =
config.prefixLocalAnchors = all 
page = PAGE 
page.10 = TEXT 
page.10.value = <a href="#skiplinks">Skiplinks</a> 
.htaccess:

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f 
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d 
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-l 
RewriteRule .* index.php [L]
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "typo3/cms"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "4.5.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "4.5.39"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "typo3/cms"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "4.6.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "6.2.9"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "typo3/cms"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "7.0.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "7.0.2"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2014-9508"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2023-08-16T22:31:44Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2015-01-04T21:59:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "The frontend rendering component in TYPO3 4.5.x before 4.5.39, 4.6.x through 6.2.x before 6.2.9, and 7.x before 7.0.2, allows remote attackers to change URLs to arbitrary domains.\n\nAn attacker could forge a request which modifies anchor only links on the homepage of a TYPO3 installation such that they point to arbitrary domains, if the configuration option `config.prefixLocalAnchors` is used with any possible value. TYPO3 versions 4.6.x and higher are only affected if the homepage is not a shortcut to a different page. As an additional pre-condition, URL rewriting must be enabled in the web server (which it typically is) when using extensions like realurl or cooluri.\n\nInstallations where `config.absRefPrefix` is additionally set to any value are not affected by this vulnerability.\n\nExample of affected configuration:\n\n```php\nconfig.absRefPrefix =\nconfig.prefixLocalAnchors = all \npage = PAGE \npage.10 = TEXT \npage.10.value = \u003ca href=\"#skiplinks\"\u003eSkiplinks\u003c/a\u003e \n.htaccess:\n\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f \nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d \nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-l \nRewriteRule .* index.php [L] \n```",
  "id": "GHSA-v6xv-rmqc-wcc8",
  "modified": "2023-08-16T22:31:44Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T03:45:52Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-9508"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/typo3/cms/CVE-2014-9508.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://typo3.org/security/advisory/typo3-core-sa-2014-003"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-08/msg00106.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://typo3.org/teams/security/security-bulletins/typo3-core/typo3-core-sa-2014-003"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [],
  "summary": "Typo3 Open Redirect In Frontend Rendering"
}

GHSA-V762-X3CF-5MFG

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-22 18:31 – Updated: 2026-07-06 20:15
VLAI
Summary
Duplicate Advisory: uutils coreutils has a Link Following Issue Via rm Utility
Details

Duplicate Advisory

This advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-7cr3-h577-g38j. This link is maintained to preserve external references.

Original Description

A vulnerability in the rm utility of uutils coreutils allows a bypass of the --preserve-root protection. The implementation uses a path-string check rather than comparing device and inode numbers to identify the root directory. An attacker or accidental user can bypass this safeguard by using a symbolic link that resolves to the root directory (e.g., /tmp/rootlink -> /), potentially leading to the unintended recursive deletion of the entire root filesystem.

Severity
6.7 (Medium)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "crates.io",
        "name": "coreutils"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "0.7.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-29T23:13:17Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-04-22T17:16:37Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "### Duplicate Advisory\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-7cr3-h577-g38j. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n### Original Description\nA vulnerability in the rm utility of uutils coreutils allows a bypass of the --preserve-root protection. The implementation uses a path-string check rather than comparing device and inode numbers to identify the root directory. An attacker or accidental user can bypass this safeguard by using a symbolic link that resolves to the root directory (e.g., /tmp/rootlink -\u003e /), potentially leading to the unintended recursive deletion of the entire root filesystem.",
  "id": "GHSA-v762-x3cf-5mfg",
  "modified": "2026-07-06T20:15:20Z",
  "published": "2026-04-22T18:31:45Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35349"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/pull/9706"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/commit/5e5968cdbc6618acd6c2402a8a98b503f278835e"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/uutils/coreutils"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/uutils/coreutils/releases/tag/0.7.0"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Duplicate Advisory: uutils coreutils has a Link Following Issue Via rm Utility",
  "withdrawn": "2026-07-06T20:15:20Z"
}

GHSA-V898-P95V-MPMF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:30 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:30
VLAI
Details

VIPRE Antivirus Plus TelFileTransfer Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the TelFileTransfer method. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the method to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-19396.

Severity
7.8 (High)
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-32178"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T02:15:23Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "VIPRE Antivirus Plus TelFileTransfer Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of VIPRE Antivirus Plus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the TelFileTransfer method. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the method to delete arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-19396.",
  "id": "GHSA-v898-p95v-mpmf",
  "modified": "2024-05-03T03:30:51Z",
  "published": "2024-05-03T03:30:51Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32178"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://success.vipre.com/en_US/antivirus-plus-release-notes/home-plus-release-notes-20230530"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-758"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-V8FQ-GCM6-FX7C

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:31 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:31
VLAI
Details

guilt 0.27 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a guilt.log.[PID] temporary file.

Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2007-5207"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2007-10-04T21:17:00Z",
    "severity": "LOW"
  },
  "details": "guilt 0.27 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a guilt.log.[PID] temporary file.",
  "id": "GHSA-v8fq-gcm6-fx7c",
  "modified": "2022-05-01T18:31:05Z",
  "published": "2022-05-01T18:31:05Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-5207"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/36970"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=445308"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://osvdb.org/41534"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27076"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25941"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-V966-MF9P-984G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:46 – Updated: 2025-04-12 12:42
VLAI
Details

lib/parse_ini.c in Nagios Plugins 2.0.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a symlink attack on the configuration file in the extra-opts flag. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4701.

Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2014-4703"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2014-12-05T16:59:00Z",
    "severity": "LOW"
  },
  "details": "lib/parse_ini.c in Nagios Plugins 2.0.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a symlink attack on the configuration file in the extra-opts flag.  NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4701.",
  "id": "GHSA-v966-mf9p-984g",
  "modified": "2025-04-12T12:42:34Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T03:46:06Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-4703"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://nagios-plugins.org/nagios-plugins-2-0-3-released"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2014/Jun/141"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/30/6"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/76810"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-V99H-Q3GX-W24X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:39 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:39
VLAI
Details

OpenRC opentmpfiles through 0.1.3, when the fs.protected_hardlinks sysctl is turned off, allows local users to obtain ownership of arbitrary files by creating a hard link inside a directory on which "chown -R" will be run.

Severity
5.5 (Medium)
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2017-18188"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-02-14T20:29:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "OpenRC opentmpfiles through 0.1.3, when the fs.protected_hardlinks sysctl is turned off, allows local users to obtain ownership of arbitrary files by creating a hard link inside a directory on which \"chown -R\" will be run.",
  "id": "GHSA-v99h-q3gx-w24x",
  "modified": "2022-05-14T03:39:20Z",
  "published": "2022-05-14T03:39:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-18188"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/OpenRC/opentmpfiles/issues/3"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-V9CG-G9VG-XJCH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:44 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:44
VLAI
Details

Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

Severity
7.8 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-26873"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-269",
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-03-11T16:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Windows User Profile Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability",
  "id": "GHSA-v9cg-g9vg-xjch",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:44:19Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:44:19Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26873"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-26873"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-283"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-V9PW-W8Q4-WVJX

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:23 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:23
VLAI
Details

Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 5.1 and earlier have a symlink vulnerability vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary file system write.

Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-9682"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-07-17T00:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application versions 5.1 and earlier have a symlink vulnerability vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary file system write.",
  "id": "GHSA-v9pw-w8q4-wvjx",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:23:55Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:23:55Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-9682"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb20-33.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-V9VX-4MXW-76J2

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-02-05 15:30 – Updated: 2024-02-05 15:30
VLAI
Details

A path traversal vulnerability was found in the CPIO utility. This issue could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to trick a user into opening a specially crafted archive. During the extraction process, the archiver could follow symlinks outside of the intended directory, which could be utilized to run arbitrary commands on the target system.

Severity
8.8 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-7216"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22",
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-02-05T15:15:08Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A path traversal vulnerability was found in the CPIO utility. This issue could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to trick a user into opening a specially crafted archive. During the extraction process, the archiver could follow symlinks outside of the intended directory, which could be utilized to run arbitrary commands on the target system.",
  "id": "GHSA-v9vx-4mxw-76j2",
  "modified": "2024-02-05T15:30:23Z",
  "published": "2024-02-05T15:30:23Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7216"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-7216"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2249901"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-V9X5-MFPJ-JR3H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-07 21:31 – Updated: 2025-10-14 18:30
VLAI
Details

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in the AWS VPN Client for macOS versions 1.3.2- 5.2.0 allows a local user to execute code with elevated privileges. Insufficient validation checks on the log destination directory during log rotation could allow a non-administrator user to create a symlink from a client log file to a privileged location. On log rotation, this could lead to code execution with root privileges if the user made crafted API calls which injected arbitrary code into the log file. We recommend users upgrade to AWS VPN Client for macOS 5.2.1 or the latest version.

Severity
7.8 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3 (Critical)
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
Show details on source website
To clipboard 

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-11462"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-10-07T20:15:33Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in the AWS VPN Client for macOS versions 1.3.2- 5.2.0 allows a local user to execute code with elevated privileges. Insufficient validation checks on the log destination directory during log rotation could allow a non-administrator user to create a symlink from a client log file to a privileged location. On log rotation, this could lead to code execution with root privileges if the user made crafted API calls which injected arbitrary code into the log file. We recommend users upgrade to AWS VPN Client for macOS 5.2.1 or the latest version.",
  "id": "GHSA-v9x5-mfpj-jr3h",
  "modified": "2025-10-14T18:30:27Z",
  "published": "2025-10-07T21:31:06Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11462"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://aws.amazon.com/security/security-bulletins/AWS-2025-020"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://aws.amazon.com/vpn/client-vpn-download"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vpn/latest/clientvpn-user/client-vpn-connect-macos-release-notes.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Separation of Privilege

  • Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
  • Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack

An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.

CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files

An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.

CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files

An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.

CAPEC-76: Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls

An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.

← Back to the CWE list