CWE-65 - Windows Hard Link
- Abstraction:Variant
- Structure:Simple
- Status:Incomplete
- Release Date:2006-07-19
- Latest Modification Date:2023-06-29
Weakness Name
Windows Hard Link
Description
The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently handle when the name is associated with a hard link to a target that is outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.
Failure for a system to check for hard links can result in vulnerability to different types of attacks. For example, an attacker can escalate their privileges if a file used by a privileged program is replaced with a hard link to a sensitive file (e.g. AUTOEXEC.BAT). When the process opens the file, the attacker can assume the privileges of that process, or prevent the program from accurately processing data.
Common Consequences
Scope: Confidentiality, Integrity
Impact: Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories
