Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-22

Weakness Allowed-with-Review

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

Abstraction: Base · Status: Stable

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

Many file operations are intended to take place within a restricted directory. By using special elements such as ".." and "/" separators, attackers can escape outside of the restricted location to access files or directories that are elsewhere on the system. One of the most common special elements is the "../" sequence, which in most modern operating systems is interpreted as the parent directory of the current location. This is referred to as relative path traversal. Path traversal also covers the use of absolute pathnames such as "/usr/local/bin" to access unexpected files. This is referred to as absolute path traversal.

Mapping guidance

This CWE entry might have children that would be more appropriate.

Examine children of this entry to see if there is a better fit. Consider children such as CWE-23 (or its descendants) for relative path traversal, or CWE-36 for absolute path traversal.

Relationships and members
ChildOf: CWE-706 · View CWE-1000
ChildOf: CWE-706 · View CWE-1003
CanPrecede: CWE-668 · View CWE-1000
Modes of introduction
Implementation
Detection methods

Automated Static Analysis

Automated techniques can find areas where path traversal weaknesses exist. However, tuning or customization may be required to remove or de-prioritize path-traversal problems that are only exploitable by the product's administrator - or other privileged users - and thus potentially valid behavior or, at worst, a bug instead of a vulnerability.

Effectiveness: High

Manual Static Analysis

Manual white box techniques may be able to provide sufficient code coverage and reduction of false positives if all file access operations can be assessed within limited time constraints.

Effectiveness: High

Automated Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Bytecode Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis

Cost effective for partial coverage:

Binary Weakness Analysis - including disassembler + source code weakness analysis

Effectiveness: High

Manual Static Analysis - Binary or Bytecode

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Cost effective for partial coverage:

Binary / Bytecode disassembler - then use manual analysis for vulnerabilities & anomalies

Effectiveness: SOAR Partial

Dynamic Analysis with Automated Results Interpretation

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Web Application Scanner

Web Services Scanner

Database Scanners

Effectiveness: High

Dynamic Analysis with Manual Results Interpretation

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Fuzz Tester

Framework-based Fuzzer

Effectiveness: High

Manual Static Analysis - Source Code

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Manual Source Code Review (not inspections)

Cost effective for partial coverage:

Focused Manual Spotcheck - Focused manual analysis of source

Effectiveness: High

Automated Static Analysis - Source Code

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Source code Weakness Analyzer

Context-configured Source Code Weakness Analyzer

Effectiveness: High

Architecture or Design Review

According to SOAR [REF-1479], the following detection techniques may be useful:

Highly cost effective:

Formal Methods / Correct-By-Construction

Cost effective for partial coverage:

Inspection (IEEE 1028 standard) (can apply to requirements, design, source code, etc.)

Effectiveness: High

Notes

Other

In many programming languages, the injection of a null byte (the 0 or NUL) may allow an attacker to truncate a generated filename to apply to a wider range of files. For example, the product may add ".txt" to any pathname, thus limiting the attacker to text files, but a null injection may effectively remove this restriction.

Relationship

Pathname equivalence can be regarded as a type of canonicalization error.

Relationship

Some pathname equivalence issues are not directly related to directory traversal, rather are used to bypass security-relevant checks for whether a file/directory can be accessed by the attacker (e.g. a trailing "/" on a filename could bypass access rules that don't expect a trailing /, causing a server to provide the file when it normally would not).

Terminology

Like other weaknesses, terminology is often based on the types of manipulations used, instead of the underlying weaknesses. Some people use "directory traversal" only to refer to the injection of ".." and equivalent sequences whose specific meaning is to traverse directories.

Other variants like "absolute pathname" and "drive letter" have the *effect* of directory traversal, but some people may not call it such, since it doesn't involve ".." or equivalent.

Research Gap

Many variants of path traversal attacks are probably under-studied with respect to root cause. CWE-790 and CWE-182 begin to cover part of this gap.

Research Gap

Incomplete diagnosis or reporting of vulnerabilities can make it difficult to know which variant is affected. For example, a researcher might say that "..\" is vulnerable, but not test "../" which may also be vulnerable.

Any combination of directory separators ("/", "\", etc.) and numbers of "." (e.g. "....") can produce unique variants; for example, the "//../" variant is not listed (CVE-2004-0325). See this entry's children and lower-level descendants.

Content history
Submission: PLOVER · 2006-07-19 · CWE Draft 3
Contribution: Nick Johnston · 2022-07-11 · CWE 4.9

Identified weakness in Perl demonstrative example

Contribution: Abhi Balakrishnan · 2024-02-29 · CWE 4.15

Provided diagram to improve CWE usability

Contribution: Drew Buttner · MITRE · 2024-11-01 · CWE 4.16

Identified weakness in "good code" for Python demonstrative example

Contribution: Affan Ahmed · 2025-02-08 · CWE 4.20

Provided a demonstrative example in PHP

Modification: Eric Dalci · Cigital · 2008-07-01 · CWE 1.0

updated Potential_Mitigations, Time_of_Introduction

Modification: · Veracode · 2008-08-15 · CWE 1.0

Suggested OWASP Top Ten 2004 mapping

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2008-09-08 · CWE 1.0

updated Alternate_Terms, Relationships, Other_Notes, Relationship_Notes, Relevant_Properties, Taxonomy_Mappings, Weakness_Ordinalities

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2008-10-14 · CWE 1.0.1

updated Description

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2008-11-24 · CWE 1.1

updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2009-07-27 · CWE 1.5

updated Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-02-16 · CWE 1.8

updated Alternate_Terms, Applicable_Platforms, Common_Consequences, Demonstrative_Examples, Description, Detection_Factors, Likelihood_of_Exploit, Name, Observed_Examples, Other_Notes, Potential_Mitigations, References, Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationship_Notes, Relationships, Research_Gaps, Taxonomy_Mappings, Terminology_Notes, Time_of_Introduction, Weakness_Ordinalities

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-06-21 · CWE 1.9

updated Common_Consequences, Demonstrative_Examples, Description, Detection_Factors, Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-09-27 · CWE 1.10

updated Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2010-12-13 · CWE 1.11

updated Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2011-03-29 · CWE 1.12

updated Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2011-06-27 · CWE 2.0

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2011-09-13 · CWE 2.1

updated Potential_Mitigations, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2012-05-11 · CWE 2.2

updated Demonstrative_Examples, References, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2012-10-30 · CWE 2.3

updated Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2013-02-21 · CWE 2.4

updated Observed_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2013-07-17 · CWE 2.5

updated Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2014-06-23 · CWE 2.7

updated Other_Notes, Research_Gaps

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2014-07-30 · CWE 2.8

updated Detection_Factors, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2015-12-07 · CWE 2.9

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2017-01-19 · CWE 2.10

updated Related_Attack_Patterns

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2017-05-03 · CWE 2.11

updated Demonstrative_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2017-11-08 · CWE 3.0

updated Affected_Resources, Causal_Nature, Likelihood_of_Exploit, References, Relationships, Relevant_Properties, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2018-03-27 · CWE 3.1

updated References, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2019-01-03 · CWE 3.2

updated References, Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2019-06-20 · CWE 3.3

updated Related_Attack_Patterns, Relationships, Type

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2019-09-19 · CWE 3.4

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-02-24 · CWE 4.0

updated Potential_Mitigations, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-06-25 · CWE 4.1

updated Demonstrative_Examples, Potential_Mitigations

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-08-20 · CWE 4.2

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2020-12-10 · CWE 4.3

updated Potential_Mitigations, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2021-03-15 · CWE 4.4

updated Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2021-07-20 · CWE 4.5

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2021-10-28 · CWE 4.6

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2022-06-28 · CWE 4.8

updated Observed_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2022-10-13 · CWE 4.9

updated Observed_Examples, References

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-01-31 · CWE 4.10

updated Common_Consequences, Description, Detection_Factors

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-04-27 · CWE 4.11

updated Demonstrative_Examples, References, Relationships, Time_of_Introduction

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-06-29 · CWE 4.12

updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2023-10-26 · CWE 4.13

updated Observed_Examples

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2024-07-16 · CWE 4.15

updated Common_Consequences, Description, Diagram, Observed_Examples, Other_Notes, References

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2024-11-19 · CWE 4.16

updated Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-04-03 · CWE 4.17

updated Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-09-09 · CWE 4.18

updated Applicable_Platforms, Detection_Factors, Observed_Examples, Potential_Mitigations, References

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2025-12-11 · CWE 4.19

updated Mapping_Notes, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2026-04-30 · CWE 4.20

updated Alternate_Terms, Applicable_Platforms, Demonstrative_Examples, Relationships

Modification: CWE Content Team · MITRE · 2026-10-28 · CWE 5.0

updated Applicable_Platforms, Common_Consequences, Name, References, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings

16162 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-9M98-8PF8-HFC4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-06 18:31 – Updated: 2024-11-06 18:31
VLAI
Details

A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need valid Super Admin credentials.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters in API requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted API request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read or delete arbitrary files on the underlying operating system.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-20532"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-11-06T17:15:18Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A vulnerability in the API of Cisco ISE could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read and delete arbitrary files on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need valid Super Admin credentials.\n\nThis vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters in API requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted API request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read or delete arbitrary files on the underlying operating system.",
  "id": "GHSA-9m98-8pf8-hfc4",
  "modified": "2024-11-06T18:31:11Z",
  "published": "2024-11-06T18:31:11Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-20532"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-multi-vuln-DBQdWRy"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MC4-RQMQ-H467

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-23 18:31 – Updated: 2026-08-11 03:31
VLAI
Details

tarfile.extractall() with the 'data' or 'tar' filter could be bypassed by a crafted archive where a hardlink references a symlink stored at a deeper name than the hardlink itself.  The extraction fallback validated the symlink at it's archived location but recreated it at the hardlink's shallower path, letting a relative target the filter judged contained escape the destination directory.  This allowed a malicious tar archive to create a symlink pointing outside the destination, enabling out-of-destination file reads or writes. This was an incomplete fix of CVE-2025-4330.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-11940"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-06-23T17:16:40Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "tarfile.extractall() with the \u0027data\u0027 or \u0027tar\u0027\n filter could be bypassed by a crafted archive where a hardlink \nreferences a symlink stored at a deeper name than the hardlink itself.\u00a0 \nThe extraction fallback validated the symlink at it\u0027s archived location \nbut recreated it at the hardlink\u0027s shallower\npath, letting a relative\n target the filter judged contained escape the destination directory.\u00a0 \nThis allowed a malicious tar archive to create a symlink pointing \noutside the destination, enabling out-of-destination file reads or \nwrites. This was an incomplete fix of CVE-2025-4330.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mc4-rqmq-h467",
  "modified": "2026-08-11T03:31:50Z",
  "published": "2026-06-23T18:31:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-11940"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/151558"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/151559"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/0f852b3f07dd8e71e40326a51c02afbf16a42cc5"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/27dd970bf6b17ebca7c8ed486a40ab043ed7af8f"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/672825e2f36a57e173959b0d9d409d4560dab8df"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/771d12dda5140313db0ac550292987975651bbde"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/79c06bd5c6afa3c440d50faf7ee1b147c8832b4c"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/be13e86f6b9788a6f4d0419dffef72cbae5865c9"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/e5fdbd8d5aa923bd9111b112ea73bd6ec7c47877"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce@python.org/thread/LD6QIISNQFQYOIEPJNEUIPV7S3V76FZH"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/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-9MCW-G6WH-83HP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-20 15:32 – Updated: 2026-07-21 18:30
VLAI
Details

Directory Traversal vulnerability in Menyoo 2.0 Versions before commit 729aa48: fixed in commit 729aa48 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the Spooner file management, VehicleSpawner save/folder/rename functionality, WeaponOptions save/folder/rename functionality, PedComponentChanger create folder/createfile/rename functionality.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-52349"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-20T15:16:39Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Directory Traversal vulnerability in Menyoo 2.0 Versions before commit 729aa48: fixed in commit 729aa48 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the Spooner file management, VehicleSpawner save/folder/rename functionality, WeaponOptions save/folder/rename functionality, PedComponentChanger create folder/createfile/rename functionality.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mcw-g6wh-83hp",
  "modified": "2026-07-21T18:30:54Z",
  "published": "2026-07-20T15:32:08Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-52349"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/itsjustcurtis/MenyooSP/pull/550"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/itsjustcurtis/MenyooSP/commit/729aa48"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MF2-XCFJ-HR6V

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-15 12:30 – Updated: 2022-12-19 15:30
VLAI
Details

A directory traversal vulnerability exists in the KnowledgebasePageActions.aspx ImportArticles functionality of Lansweeper lansweeper 10.1.1.0. A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to arbitrary file read. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-29511"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-12-15T10:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A directory traversal vulnerability exists in the KnowledgebasePageActions.aspx ImportArticles functionality of Lansweeper lansweeper 10.1.1.0. A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to arbitrary file read. An attacker can send an HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mf2-xcfj-hr6v",
  "modified": "2022-12-19T15:30:29Z",
  "published": "2022-12-15T12:30:18Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29511"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2022-1530"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MF9-W55R-WWQ5

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-10 09:31 – Updated: 2024-12-10 09:31
VLAI
Details

SolarWinds Web Help Desk was susceptible to a local file read vulnerability. This vulnerability requires the software be installed on Linux and configured to use non-default development/test mode making exposure to the vulnerability very limited.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-45709"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-12-10T09:15:06Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "SolarWinds Web Help Desk was susceptible to a local file read vulnerability.  This vulnerability requires the software be installed on Linux and configured to use non-default development/test mode making exposure to the vulnerability very limited.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mf9-w55r-wwq5",
  "modified": "2024-12-10T09:31:18Z",
  "published": "2024-12-10T09:31:18Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-45709"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/whd/content/release_notes/whd_12-8-4_release_notes.htm"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.solarwinds.com/trust-center/security-advisories/CVE-2024-45709"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MFJ-W336-PX2G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-11 21:31 – Updated: 2026-03-12 00:31
VLAI
Details

ARMBot contains an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload.php that allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files by manipulating the file parameter with path traversal sequences. Attackers can upload PHP files with traversal payloads ../public_html/ to write executable code to the web root and achieve remote code execution.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-25480"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-03-11T19:16:02Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "ARMBot contains an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in upload.php that allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files by manipulating the file parameter with path traversal sequences. Attackers can upload PHP files with traversal payloads ../public_html/ to write executable code to the web root and achieve remote code execution.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mfj-w336-px2g",
  "modified": "2026-03-12T00:31:16Z",
  "published": "2026-03-11T21:31:02Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25480"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47209"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/armbot-unrestricted-file-upload-via-upload-php"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/armbot-unrestricted-file-upload-via-uploadphp"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/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-9MGQ-6R88-PGHR

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-10-26 09:31 – Updated: 2026-10-26 09:31
VLAI
Details

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Apache Camel Docling component.

This issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.15.0 before 4.18.5, from 4.19.0 before 4.22.2.

DoclingProducer runs the external docling tool in CLI mode, the default, and tells it where to write the converted document through the --output flag. When the CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header was set, addOutputDirectoryArguments handed its value to that flag verbatim: the value was not normalized, an absolute path or a path containing .. segments was accepted as given, and no endpoint option could confine it to a directory. The custom-argument validation added by the fix for CVE-2026-40047 refuses the --output and -o flags in the CamelDoclingCustomArguments header and tells callers to choose the output directory with this header instead, so the one value that decides where docling writes reached the command line without any of the checks applied to custom arguments. Docling writes the conversion result, as Markdown, HTML, JSON or text, into that directory, naming the file after the input file, and the producer afterwards removes only its own temporary directory, so the file is left in place. A party able to set the header could therefore have conversion output created in any directory the Camel process can write to. The content of such a file is the conversion of the document carried by the message, so it is shaped by whoever supplies that document without being written byte for byte, and when the document content arrives in the message body the producer stores it under a random temporary name, which the output file then carries. The header belongs to the Camel header namespace, which consumers applying Camel's default header filtering, such as the JMS and Kafka consumers, remove from incoming messages, so the issue is reached where a route forwards externally influenced values into the header or where a consumer maps incoming headers without that filtering. The docling-serve mode does not use the header.

Users are recommended to upgrade to version 4.23.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.22.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.22.2. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.5. The fix adds an outputBaseDirectory endpoint option that is unset by default, so after upgrading, set it on every docling endpoint whose CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header can carry a value influenced from outside the deployment; without it the header is normalized but can still name any directory. The 4.15.x to 4.17.x and 4.19.x to 4.21.x release lines reached end of life before this issue was resolved and will not receive a fix, so deployments on them must move to a supported release. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, do not build the CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header from values that originate outside the deployment, remove that header from messages that arrive from outside before they reach a docling endpoint, and make sure that consumers which map incoming message headers drop the Camel header namespace, so that only the route itself chooses the output directory.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-95629"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-10-26T09:16:36Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (\u0027Path Traversal\u0027) vulnerability in Apache Camel Docling component.\n\n\n\nThis issue affects Apache Camel: from 4.15.0 before 4.18.5, from 4.19.0 before 4.22.2.\n\n\n\nDoclingProducer runs the external docling tool in CLI mode, the default, and tells it where to write the converted document through the --output flag. When the CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header was set, addOutputDirectoryArguments handed its value to that flag verbatim: the value was not normalized, an absolute path or a path containing .. segments was accepted as given, and no endpoint option could confine it to a directory. The custom-argument validation added by the fix for CVE-2026-40047 refuses the --output and -o flags in the CamelDoclingCustomArguments header and tells callers to choose the output directory with this header instead, so the one value that decides where docling writes reached the command line without any of the checks applied to custom arguments. Docling writes the conversion result, as Markdown, HTML, JSON or text, into that directory, naming the file after the input file, and the producer afterwards removes only its own temporary directory, so the file is left in place. A party able to set the header could therefore have conversion output created in any directory the Camel process can write to. The content of such a file is the conversion of the document carried by the message, so it is shaped by whoever supplies that document without being written byte for byte, and when the document content arrives in the message body the producer stores it under a random temporary name, which the output file then carries. The header belongs to the Camel header namespace, which consumers applying Camel\u0027s default header filtering, such as the JMS and Kafka consumers, remove from incoming messages, so the issue is reached where a route forwards externally influenced values into the header or where a consumer maps incoming headers without that filtering. The docling-serve mode does not use the header.\n\n\n\nUsers are recommended to upgrade to version 4.23.0, which fixes the issue. If users are on the 4.22.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.22.2. If users are on the 4.18.x releases stream, then they are suggested to upgrade to 4.18.5. The fix adds an outputBaseDirectory endpoint option that is unset by default, so after upgrading, set it on every docling endpoint whose CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header can carry a value influenced from outside the deployment; without it the header is normalized but can still name any directory. The 4.15.x to 4.17.x and 4.19.x to 4.21.x release lines reached end of life before this issue was resolved and will not receive a fix, so deployments on them must move to a supported release. For deployments that cannot upgrade immediately, do not build the CamelDoclingOutputFilePath header from values that originate outside the deployment, remove that header from messages that arrive from outside before they reach a docling endpoint, and make sure that consumers which map incoming message headers drop the Camel header namespace, so that only the route itself chooses the output directory.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mgq-6r88-pghr",
  "modified": "2026-10-26T09:31:12Z",
  "published": "2026-10-26T09:31:12Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-95629"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/apache/camel/pull/26737"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/apache/camel/pull/27362"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/apache/camel/pull/27365"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://camel.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-40047.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://camel.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-78163.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://camel.apache.org/security/CVE-2026-95629.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CAMEL-24894"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MGR-J5G2-CM6J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-25 12:30 – Updated: 2025-08-25 12:30
VLAI
Details

The Custom Query Shortcode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 0.4.0 via the 'lens' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to read the contents of files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-8562"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-08-25T10:15:31Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "The Custom Query Shortcode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 0.4.0 via the \u0027lens\u0027 parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to read the contents of files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mgr-j5g2-cm6j",
  "modified": "2025-08-25T12:30:25Z",
  "published": "2025-08-25T12:30:25Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-8562"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/peterhebert/custom-query-shortcode/pull/1"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/custom-query-shortcode/tags/0.4.0/init.php"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3348818"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://wordpress.org/plugins/custom-query-shortcode/#developers"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/9e37c664-76ed-4ede-88fd-e41b9969685f?source=cve"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-9MH6-G99M-PPCW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-10-01 21:20 – Updated: 2025-10-01 21:37
VLAI
Summary
auth0-PHP SDK Does Not Properly Handle File Types in Bulk User Import
Details

Overview

In applications built with the Auth0-PHP SDK, the Bulk User Import endpoint does not validate the file path wrapper or value. Without proper validation, affected applications may accept arbitrary file paths or URLs.

Am I affected?

You are affected by this vulnerability if you meet the following preconditions: 1. Applications using the Auth0-PHP SDK, versions between v3.3.0 and v8.16.0, or 2. Applications using the following SDKs that rely on the Auth0-PHP SDK versions between v3.3.0 and v8.16.0: a. Auth0/symfony, b. Auth0/laravel-auth0, c. Auth0/wordpress.

Fix

Upgrade Auth0/Auth0-PHP to version 8.17.0 or greater.

Acknowledgement

Okta would like to thank Mohamed Amine Saidani (pwni) for discovering this vulnerability.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "database_specific": {
        "last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 8.16.0"
      },
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "auth0/auth0-php"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "3.3.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "8.17.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-58769"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22",
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2025-10-01T21:20:45Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-10-01T20:18:38Z",
    "severity": "LOW"
  },
  "details": "### Overview\nIn applications built with the Auth0-PHP SDK, the Bulk User Import endpoint does not validate the file path wrapper or value. Without proper validation, affected applications may accept arbitrary file paths or URLs.\n\n### Am I affected?\nYou are affected by this vulnerability if you meet the following preconditions:\n1. Applications using the Auth0-PHP SDK, versions between v3.3.0 and v8.16.0, or\n2. Applications using the following SDKs that rely on the Auth0-PHP SDK versions between v3.3.0 and v8.16.0:\na. Auth0/symfony,\nb. Auth0/laravel-auth0,\nc. Auth0/wordpress.\n\n### Fix\nUpgrade Auth0/Auth0-PHP to version 8.17.0 or greater.\n\n### Acknowledgement\nOkta would like to thank Mohamed Amine Saidani (pwni) for discovering this vulnerability.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mh6-g99m-ppcw",
  "modified": "2025-10-01T21:37:31Z",
  "published": "2025-10-01T21:20:45Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/security/advisories/GHSA-9mh6-g99m-ppcw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/laravel-auth0/security/advisories/GHSA-hjfh-5jmm-xr24"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/symfony/security/advisories/GHSA-7jp2-5h22-m432"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/wordpress/security/advisories/GHSA-w22c-pw5m-482x"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-58769"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/commit/9026da58f5c381cd4cb5932de829eff6eacbb65c"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/releases/tag/8.17.0"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "auth0-PHP SDK Does Not Properly Handle File Types in Bulk User Import"
}

GHSA-9MH8-HQ67-V26G

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-08-14 15:32 – Updated: 2026-08-14 15:32
VLAI
Details

Path-traversal vulnerability in QOS.CH Sarl Logback-classic on Java (logback-classic module) allows path-traversal vulnerability. More specifically, an MDC-based discriminator value flows unsanitized into a nested FileAppender path, letting an attacker who influences that MDC value (e.g. via an HTTP header) create and append log files outside the intended directory.

This issue affects Logback-classic: from 0.9.14 through 1.6.2.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-19880"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-22"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-08-14T15:17:09Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Path-traversal vulnerability in QOS.CH Sarl Logback-classic on Java (logback-classic module) allows path-traversal vulnerability. More specifically, an \nMDC-based discriminator value flows unsanitized into a nested \nFileAppender path, letting an attacker who influences that MDC value \n(e.g. via an HTTP header)\n create and append log files outside the intended directory. \n\n\nThis issue affects Logback-classic: from 0.9.14 through 1.6.2.",
  "id": "GHSA-9mh8-hq67-v26g",
  "modified": "2026-08-14T15:32:51Z",
  "published": "2026-08-14T15:32:51Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-19880"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://logback.qos.ch/news.html#1.6.3"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/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:P/AU:N/R:X/V:X/RE:M/U:Green",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation MIT-5.1
Implementation

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.
  • When validating filenames, use stringent allowlists that limit the character set to be used. If feasible, only allow a single "." character in the filename to avoid weaknesses such as CWE-23, and exclude directory separators such as "/" to avoid CWE-36. Use a list of allowable file extensions, which will help to avoid CWE-434.
  • Do not rely exclusively on a filtering mechanism that removes potentially dangerous characters. This is equivalent to a denylist, which may be incomplete (CWE-184). For example, filtering "/" is insufficient protection if the filesystem also supports the use of "\" as a directory separator. Another possible error could occur when the filtering is applied in a way that still produces dangerous data (CWE-182). For example, if "../" sequences are removed from the ".../...//" string in a sequential fashion, two instances of "../" would be removed from the original string, but the remaining characters would still form the "../" string.
Mitigation MIT-15
Architecture and Design

For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.

Mitigation MIT-20.1
Implementation

Strategy: Input Validation

  • Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
  • Use a built-in path canonicalization function (such as realpath() in C) that produces the canonical version of the pathname, which effectively removes ".." sequences and symbolic links (CWE-23, CWE-59). This includes:
  • realpath() in C
  • getCanonicalPath() in Java
  • GetFullPath() in ASP.NET
  • realpath() or abs_path() in Perl
  • realpath() in PHP
Mitigation MIT-4
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks

Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].

Mitigation MIT-29
Operation

Strategy: Firewall

Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth [REF-1481].

Mitigation MIT-17
Architecture and Design Operation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.

Mitigation MIT-21.1
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Enforcement by Conversion

  • When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
  • For example, ID 1 could map to "inbox.txt" and ID 2 could map to "profile.txt". Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap [REF-185] provide this capability.
Mitigation MIT-22
Architecture and Design Operation

Strategy: Sandbox or Jail

  • Run the code in a "jail" or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which files can be accessed in a particular directory or which commands can be executed by the software.
  • OS-level examples include the Unix chroot jail, AppArmor, and SELinux. In general, managed code may provide some protection. For example, java.io.FilePermission in the Java SecurityManager allows the software to specify restrictions on file operations.
  • This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of the application may still be subject to compromise.
  • Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
Mitigation MIT-34
Architecture and Design Operation

Strategy: Attack Surface Reduction

  • Store library, include, and utility files outside of the web document root, if possible. Otherwise, store them in a separate directory and use the web server's access control capabilities to prevent attackers from directly requesting them. One common practice is to define a fixed constant in each calling program, then check for the existence of the constant in the library/include file; if the constant does not exist, then the file was directly requested, and it can exit immediately.
  • This significantly reduces the chance of an attacker being able to bypass any protection mechanisms that are in the base program but not in the include files. It will also reduce the attack surface.
Mitigation MIT-39
Implementation
  • Ensure that error messages only contain minimal details that are useful to the intended audience and no one else. The messages need to strike the balance between being too cryptic (which can confuse users) or being too detailed (which may reveal more than intended). The messages should not reveal the methods that were used to determine the error. Attackers can use detailed information to refine or optimize their original attack, thereby increasing their chances of success.
  • If errors must be captured in some detail, record them in log messages, but consider what could occur if the log messages can be viewed by attackers. Highly sensitive information such as passwords should never be saved to log files.
  • Avoid inconsistent messaging that might accidentally tip off an attacker about internal state, such as whether a user account exists or not.
  • In the context of path traversal, error messages which disclose path information can help attackers craft the appropriate attack strings to move through the file system hierarchy.
Mitigation MIT-16
Operation Implementation

Strategy: Environment Hardening

When using PHP, configure the application so that it does not use register_globals. During implementation, develop the application so that it does not rely on this feature, but be wary of implementing a register_globals emulation that is subject to weaknesses such as CWE-95, CWE-621, and similar issues.

CAPEC-126: Path Traversal

An adversary uses path manipulation methods to exploit insufficient input validation of a target to obtain access to data that should be not be retrievable by ordinary well-formed requests. A typical variety of this attack involves specifying a path to a desired file together with dot-dot-slash characters, resulting in the file access API or function traversing out of the intended directory structure and into the root file system. By replacing or modifying the expected path information the access function or API retrieves the file desired by the attacker. These attacks either involve the attacker providing a complete path to a targeted file or using control characters (e.g. path separators (/ or \) and/or dots (.)) to reach desired directories or files.

CAPEC-64: Using Slashes and URL Encoding Combined to Bypass Validation Logic

This attack targets the encoding of the URL combined with the encoding of the slash characters. An attacker can take advantage of the multiple ways of encoding a URL and abuse the interpretation of the URL. A URL may contain special character that need special syntax handling in order to be interpreted. Special characters are represented using a percentage character followed by two digits representing the octet code of the original character (%HEX-CODE). For instance US-ASCII space character would be represented with %20. This is often referred as escaped ending or percent-encoding. Since the server decodes the URL from the requests, it may restrict the access to some URL paths by validating and filtering out the URL requests it received. An attacker will try to craft an URL with a sequence of special characters which once interpreted by the server will be equivalent to a forbidden URL. It can be difficult to protect against this attack since the URL can contain other format of encoding such as UTF-8 encoding, Unicode-encoding, etc.

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.

CAPEC-78: Using Escaped Slashes in Alternate Encoding

This attack targets the use of the backslash in alternate encoding. An adversary can provide a backslash as a leading character and causes a parser to believe that the next character is special. This is called an escape. By using that trick, the adversary tries to exploit alternate ways to encode the same character which leads to filter problems and opens avenues to attack.

CAPEC-79: Using Slashes in Alternate Encoding

This attack targets the encoding of the Slash characters. An adversary would try to exploit common filtering problems related to the use of the slashes characters to gain access to resources on the target host. Directory-driven systems, such as file systems and databases, typically use the slash character to indicate traversal between directories or other container components. For murky historical reasons, PCs (and, as a result, Microsoft OSs) choose to use a backslash, whereas the UNIX world typically makes use of the forward slash. The schizophrenic result is that many MS-based systems are required to understand both forms of the slash. This gives the adversary many opportunities to discover and abuse a number of common filtering problems. The goal of this pattern is to discover server software that only applies filters to one version, but not the other.