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CWE-64 - Windows Shortcut Following (.LNK)

CWE-64 Low

  • Abstraction:
  • Variant
  • Structure:
  • Simple
  • Status:
  • Incomplete
Weakness Name

Windows Shortcut Following (.LNK)

Description

The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently handle when the file is a Windows shortcut (.LNK) whose target is outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.

The shortcut (file with the .lnk extension) can permit an attacker to read/write a file that they originally did not have permissions to access.

Common Consequences

Scope: Confidentiality, Integrity

Impact: Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories

Related Weaknesses

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')Medium

  • Release Date:
  • 2006-07-19
  • Latest Modification Date:
  • 2023-06-29

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