CWE-41 - Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence
CWE-41
- Abstraction:
- Base
- Structure:
- Simple
- Status:
- Incomplete
- Weakness Name
Improper Resolution of Path Equivalence
- Description
The product is vulnerable to file system contents disclosure through path equivalence. Path equivalence involves the use of special characters in file and directory names. The associated manipulations are intended to generate multiple names for the same object.
Path equivalence is usually employed in order to circumvent access controls expressed using an incomplete set of file name or file path representations. This is different from path traversal, wherein the manipulations are performed to generate a name for a different object.
- Common Consequences
Scope: Confidentiality, Integrity, Access Control
Impact: Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories, Bypass Protection Mechanism
Notes: An attacker may be able to traverse the file system to unintended locations and read or overwrite the contents of unexpected files. If the files are used for a security mechanism than an attacker may be able to bypass the mechanism.
- Related Weaknesses
- Release Date:
- 2006-07-19
- Latest Modification Date:
- 2024-02-29