CWE-36 - Absolute Path Traversal
CWE-36
- Abstraction:
- Base
- Structure:
- Simple
- Status:
- Draft
- Weakness Name
Absolute Path Traversal
- Description
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that should be within a restricted directory, but it does not properly neutralize absolute path sequences such as "/abs/path" that can resolve to a location that is outside of that directory.
This allows attackers to traverse the file system to access files or directories that are outside of the restricted directory.
- Common Consequences
Scope: Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability
Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Notes: The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Scope: Integrity
Impact: Modify Files or Directories
Notes: The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Scope: Confidentiality
Impact: Read Files or Directories
Notes: The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Scope: Availability
Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
Notes: The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of a protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lockout every user of the product.
- Related Weaknesses
- Release Date:
- 2006-07-19
- Latest Modification Date:
- 2024-07-16
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