CWE-77
Allowed-with-ReviewImproper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
5381 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-XFHP-JF8P-MH5W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-25 18:31 – Updated: 2024-06-28 21:43HashiCorp’s go-getter library can be coerced into executing Git update on an existing maliciously modified Git Configuration, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. When go-getter is performing a Git operation, go-getter will try to clone the given repository in a specified destination. Cloning initializes a git config to the provided destination and if the repository needs to get updated go-getter will pull the new changes .
An attacker may alter the Git config after the cloning step to set an arbitrary Git configuration to achieve code execution.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/hashicorp/go-getter"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.7.5"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-6257"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2024-06-25T20:14:06Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2024-06-25T17:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "HashiCorp\u2019s go-getter library can be coerced into executing Git update on an existing maliciously modified Git Configuration, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. When go-getter is performing a Git operation, go-getter will try to clone the given repository in a specified destination. Cloning initializes a git config to the provided destination and if the repository needs to get updated go-getter will pull the new changes .\n\nAn attacker may alter the Git config after the cloning step to set an arbitrary Git configuration to achieve code execution.",
"id": "GHSA-xfhp-jf8p-mh5w",
"modified": "2024-06-28T21:43:53Z",
"published": "2024-06-25T18:31:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-6257"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/hashicorp/go-getter/commit/268c11cae8cf0d9374783e06572679796abe9ce9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2024-13-hashicorp-go-getter-vulnerable-to-code-execution-on-git-update-via-git-config-manipulation/68081"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-xfhp-jf8p-mh5w"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/hashicorp/go-getter"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "HashiCorp go-getter Vulnerable to Code Execution On Git Update Via Git Config Manipulation"
}
GHSA-XFM4-W623-4VCG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-08 15:30 – Updated: 2023-03-14 21:30Command Injection in GitHub repository btcpayserver/btcpayserver prior to 1.8.3.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-1270"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-79"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-08T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Command Injection in GitHub repository btcpayserver/btcpayserver prior to 1.8.3.",
"id": "GHSA-xfm4-w623-4vcg",
"modified": "2023-03-14T21:30:22Z",
"published": "2023-03-08T15:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-1270"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/commit/7b5ce8f70c060b01990d3f7109e97e0144d878a4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://huntr.dev/bounties/ad1f917f-2b25-40ef-9215-c805354c683b"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XFXF-QW26-HR33
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-05-06 15:55 – Updated: 2022-07-05 18:02This affects all current versions of package roar-pidusage. If attacker-controlled user input is given to the stat function of this package on certain operating systems, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanitization.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "roar-pidusage"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"last_affected": "1.1.7"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-23380"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-04-19T16:48:06Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2021-04-18T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This affects all current versions of package roar-pidusage. If attacker-controlled user input is given to the stat function of this package on certain operating systems, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanitization.",
"id": "GHSA-xfxf-qw26-hr33",
"modified": "2022-07-05T18:02:04Z",
"published": "2021-05-06T15:55:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23380"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/Svjard/pidusage"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Svjard/pidusage/blob/772cd2bd675ff7b1244b6fe3d7541692b1b9e42c/lib/stats.js%23L103"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-ROARPIDUSAGE-1078528"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Arbitrary command execution in roar-pidusage"
}
GHSA-XG97-VMG6-HHF5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:47 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:47SQL Injection in the "evoadm.php" component of b2evolution v7.2.2-stable allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive database information by injecting SQL commands into the "cf_name" parameter when creating a new filter under the "Collections" tab.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-28242"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-04-15T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "SQL Injection in the \"evoadm.php\" component of b2evolution v7.2.2-stable allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive database information by injecting SQL commands into the \"cf_name\" parameter when creating a new filter under the \"Collections\" tab.",
"id": "GHSA-xg97-vmg6-hhf5",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:47:43Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:47:43Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28242"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/b2evolution/b2evolution/issues/109"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://deadsh0t.medium.com/authenticated-boolean-based-blind-error-based-sql-injection-b752225f0644"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162489/b2evolution-7-2-2-SQL-Injection.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XGJ7-V3FF-H29V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-21 18:31 – Updated: 2025-02-04 18:30TOTOLINK A810R V4.1.2cu.5032_B20200407 was found to contain a command insertion vulnerability in downloadFile.cgi main function. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands by sending HTTP request.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-57036"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-21T16:15:14Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TOTOLINK A810R V4.1.2cu.5032_B20200407 was found to contain a command insertion vulnerability in downloadFile.cgi main function. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands by sending HTTP request.",
"id": "GHSA-xgj7-v3ff-h29v",
"modified": "2025-02-04T18:30:47Z",
"published": "2025-01-21T18:31:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-57036"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/luckysmallbird/Totolink-A810R-Vulnerability-1/blob/main/3.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XGPC-R328-JCFC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-03-23 15:30 – Updated: 2023-03-27 18:30Command Injection vulnerability found in Tenda G103 v.1.0.05 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted package
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-27079"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-03-23T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Command Injection vulnerability found in Tenda G103 v.1.0.05 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted package",
"id": "GHSA-xgpc-r328-jcfc",
"modified": "2023-03-27T18:30:27Z",
"published": "2023-03-23T15:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27079"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/B2eFly/Router/blob/main/Tenda/G103/2.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XGWQ-R73W-QQ4G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-09 21:32 – Updated: 2026-05-09 21:32A security flaw has been discovered in Wavlink NU516U1 M16U1_V240425. This vulnerability affects the function wzdap of the file /cgi-bin/adm.cgi. Performing a manipulation of the argument EncrypType/wl_Pass is directly passed by the attacker/so we can control the EncrypType/wl_Pass results in os command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been released to the public and may be used for attacks. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-8192"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-09T19:16:10Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "A security flaw has been discovered in Wavlink NU516U1 M16U1_V240425. This vulnerability affects the function wzdap of the file /cgi-bin/adm.cgi. Performing a manipulation of the argument EncrypType/wl_Pass is directly passed by the attacker/so we can control the EncrypType/wl_Pass results in os command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been released to the public and may be used for attacks. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure.",
"id": "GHSA-xgwq-r73w-qq4g",
"modified": "2026-05-09T21:32:41Z",
"published": "2026-05-09T21:32:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8192"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/wudipjq/my_vuln/blob/main/Wavlink/vuln_5/5.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/submit/800731"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/362344"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/362344/cti"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-XH22-RMR9-74W8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-05 21:30 – Updated: 2024-03-05 21:30Authenticated command injection vulnerabilities exist in the ArubaOS command line interface. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability to execute arbitrary commands as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-25612"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-03-05T21:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Authenticated command injection vulnerabilities exist in the ArubaOS command line interface. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability to execute arbitrary commands as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-xh22-rmr9-74w8",
"modified": "2024-03-05T21:30:25Z",
"published": "2024-03-05T21:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-25612"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2024-002.txt"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-XH52-5493-Q8VX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-02 15:31 – Updated: 2025-06-02 15:31A vulnerability was found in Linksys RE6500, RE6250, RE6300, RE6350, RE7000 and RE9000 1.0.013.001/1.0.04.001/1.0.04.002/1.1.05.003/1.2.07.001 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function RP_checkFWByBBS of the file /goform/RP_checkFWByBBS. The manipulation of the argument type/ch/ssidhex/security/extch/pwd/mode/ip/nm/gw leads to os command injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-5445"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-78"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-02T13:15:22Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in Linksys RE6500, RE6250, RE6300, RE6350, RE7000 and RE9000 1.0.013.001/1.0.04.001/1.0.04.002/1.1.05.003/1.2.07.001 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function RP_checkFWByBBS of the file /goform/RP_checkFWByBBS. The manipulation of the argument type/ch/ssidhex/security/extch/pwd/mode/ip/nm/gw leads to os command injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.",
"id": "GHSA-xh52-5493-q8vx",
"modified": "2025-06-02T15:31:23Z",
"published": "2025-06-02T15:31:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-5445"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/wudipjq/my_vuln/blob/main/Linksys/vuln_8/8.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.310784"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.310784"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.584367"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.linksys.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/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"
}
]
}
GHSA-XH53-849P-CFVQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-04 15:30 – Updated: 2024-09-06 18:31D-Link DI-8400 16.07.26A1 is vulnerable to Command Injection via upgrade_filter_asp.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-44400"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-04T13:15:06Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "D-Link DI-8400 16.07.26A1 is vulnerable to Command Injection via upgrade_filter_asp.",
"id": "GHSA-xh53-849p-cfvq",
"modified": "2024-09-06T18:31:28Z",
"published": "2024-09-04T15:30:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-44400"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/lonelylonglong/openfile-/blob/main/D-link_DI_8400-16.07.26A1_Command_Injection.md/CVE-2024-44400"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/lonelylonglong/openfile-/blob/main/D-link_DI_8400-16.07.26A1_Command_Injection.md/D-link_DI_8400-16.07.26A1_Command_Injection.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
Mitigation
If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
Mitigation
Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
Mitigation
Assign permissions that prevent the user from accessing/opening privileged files.
CAPEC-136: LDAP Injection
An attacker manipulates or crafts an LDAP query for the purpose of undermining the security of the target. Some applications use user input to create LDAP queries that are processed by an LDAP server. For example, a user might provide their username during authentication and the username might be inserted in an LDAP query during the authentication process. An attacker could use this input to inject additional commands into an LDAP query that could disclose sensitive information. For example, entering a * in the aforementioned query might return information about all users on the system. This attack is very similar to an SQL injection attack in that it manipulates a query to gather additional information or coerce a particular return value.
CAPEC-15: Command Delimiters
An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that allows an attacker's commands to be concatenated onto a legitimate command with the intent of targeting other resources such as the file system or database. The system that uses a filter or denylist input validation, as opposed to allowlist validation is vulnerable to an attacker who predicts delimiters (or combinations of delimiters) not present in the filter or denylist. As with other injection attacks, the attacker uses the command delimiter payload as an entry point to tunnel through the application and activate additional attacks through SQL queries, shell commands, network scanning, and so on.
CAPEC-183: IMAP/SMTP Command Injection
An adversary exploits weaknesses in input validation on web-mail servers to execute commands on the IMAP/SMTP server. Web-mail servers often sit between the Internet and the IMAP or SMTP mail server. User requests are received by the web-mail servers which then query the back-end mail server for the requested information and return this response to the user. In an IMAP/SMTP command injection attack, mail-server commands are embedded in parts of the request sent to the web-mail server. If the web-mail server fails to adequately sanitize these requests, these commands are then sent to the back-end mail server when it is queried by the web-mail server, where the commands are then executed. This attack can be especially dangerous since administrators may assume that the back-end server is protected against direct Internet access and therefore may not secure it adequately against the execution of malicious commands.
CAPEC-248: Command Injection
An adversary looking to execute a command of their choosing, injects new items into an existing command thus modifying interpretation away from what was intended. Commands in this context are often standalone strings that are interpreted by a downstream component and cause specific responses. This type of attack is possible when untrusted values are used to build these command strings. Weaknesses in input validation or command construction can enable the attack and lead to successful exploitation.
CAPEC-40: Manipulating Writeable Terminal Devices
This attack exploits terminal devices that allow themselves to be written to by other users. The attacker sends command strings to the target terminal device hoping that the target user will hit enter and thereby execute the malicious command with their privileges. The attacker can send the results (such as copying /etc/passwd) to a known directory and collect once the attack has succeeded.
CAPEC-43: Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation Layers
An attacker supplies the target software with input data that contains sequences of special characters designed to bypass input validation logic. This exploit relies on the target making multiples passes over the input data and processing a "layer" of special characters with each pass. In this manner, the attacker can disguise input that would otherwise be rejected as invalid by concealing it with layers of special/escape characters that are stripped off by subsequent processing steps. The goal is to first discover cases where the input validation layer executes before one or more parsing layers. That is, user input may go through the following logic in an application: <parser1> --> <input validator> --> <parser2>. In such cases, the attacker will need to provide input that will pass through the input validator, but after passing through parser2, will be converted into something that the input validator was supposed to stop.
CAPEC-75: Manipulating Writeable Configuration Files
Generally these are manually edited files that are not in the preview of the system administrators, any ability on the attackers' behalf to modify these files, for example in a CVS repository, gives unauthorized access directly to the application, the same as authorized users.
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.