Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-434

Allowed

Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type

Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft

The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.

6365 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-M8HQ-2C8M-W6CM

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-08-23 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-24 00:00
VLAI
Details

The Advanced Custom Fields WordPress plugin before 5.12.3, Advanced Custom Fields Pro WordPress plugin before 5.12.3 allows unauthenticated users to upload files allowed in a default WP configuration (so PHP is not possible) if there is a frontend form available. This vulnerability was introduced in the 5.0 rewrite and did not exist prior to that release.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-2594"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-08-22T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The Advanced Custom Fields WordPress plugin before 5.12.3, Advanced Custom Fields Pro WordPress plugin before 5.12.3 allows unauthenticated users to upload files allowed in a default WP configuration (so PHP is not possible) if there is a frontend form available. This vulnerability was introduced in the 5.0 rewrite and did not exist prior to that release.",
  "id": "GHSA-m8hq-2c8m-w6cm",
  "modified": "2022-08-24T00:00:28Z",
  "published": "2022-08-23T00:00:17Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-2594"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/3fde5336-552c-4861-8b4d-89a16735c0e2"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.pritect.net/blog/advanced-custom-fields-5-12-3-can-allow-unauthenticated-users-to-upload-arbitrary-files"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M8J4-7VQM-V48X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-06-14 06:34 – Updated: 2024-06-14 06:34
VLAI
Details

The upload functionality of ASUS Download Master does not properly filter user input. Remote attackers with administrative privilege can exploit this vulnerability to upload any file to any location. They may even upload malicious web page files to the website directory, allowing arbitrary system commands to be executed upon browsing the webpage.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-31161"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-06-14T04:15:42Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The upload functionality of ASUS Download Master does not properly filter user input. Remote attackers with administrative privilege can exploit this vulnerability to upload any file to any location. They may even upload malicious web page files to the website directory, allowing arbitrary system commands to be executed upon browsing the webpage.",
  "id": "GHSA-m8j4-7vqm-v48x",
  "modified": "2024-06-14T06:34:48Z",
  "published": "2024-06-14T06:34:47Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-31161"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/en/cp-139-7866-469e0-2.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-7865-d3823-1.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M8M7-H57Q-J2F3

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-10 03:30 – Updated: 2026-09-10 03:30
VLAI
Details

BurgerEditor 3.2.0 through 3.4.0 contains an issue with unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type. If this vulnerability is exploited, an arbitrary file may be uploaded by an attacker who can log in to the product, potentially allowing arbitrary PHP code to be executed may be caused.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-84063"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-09-10T03:17:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "BurgerEditor 3.2.0 through 3.4.0 contains an issue with unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type. If this vulnerability is exploited, an arbitrary file may be uploaded by an attacker who can log in to the product, potentially allowing arbitrary PHP code to be executed may be caused.",
  "id": "GHSA-m8m7-h57q-j2f3",
  "modified": "2026-09-10T03:30:21Z",
  "published": "2026-09-10T03:30:21Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-84063"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://burger.d-zero.co.jp/blogs/archives/3"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN21088484"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/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-M8V4-M34M-JGJ6

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:57 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:57
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered on D-Link Central WiFi Manager before v 1.03r0100-Beta1. They expose an FTP server that serves by default on port 9000 and has hardcoded credentials (admin, admin). Taking advantage of this, a remote unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading any file in the web root directory and then accessing it via a request.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2018-17440"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-10-08T16:29:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered on D-Link Central WiFi Manager before v 1.03r0100-Beta1. They expose an FTP server that serves by default on port 9000 and has hardcoded credentials (admin, admin). Taking advantage of this, a remote unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary PHP code by uploading any file in the web root directory and then accessing it via a request.",
  "id": "GHSA-m8v4-m34m-jgj6",
  "modified": "2022-05-14T01:57:00Z",
  "published": "2022-05-14T01:57:00Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-17440"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://securityadvisories.dlink.com/announcement/publication.aspx?name=SAP10092"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45533"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.secureauth.com/labs/advisories/d-link-central-wifimanager-software-controller-multiple-vulnerabilities"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Oct/11"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M92M-QPP4-8JC8

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-21 18:32 – Updated: 2025-08-07 15:33
VLAI
Details

In Netgear RAX30 V1.0.10.94, a PHP-FPM misconfiguration vulnerability is caused by not following the specification to only limit FPM to .php extensions. An attacker may exploit this by uploading malicious scripts disguised with alternate extensions and tricking the web server into executing them as PHP, bypassing security mechanisms based on file extension filtering. This may lead to remote code execution (RCE), information disclosure, or full system compromise.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-44658"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-07-21T16:15:29Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "In Netgear RAX30 V1.0.10.94, a PHP-FPM misconfiguration vulnerability is caused by not following the specification to only limit FPM to .php extensions. An attacker may exploit this by uploading malicious scripts disguised with alternate extensions and tricking the web server into executing them as PHP, bypassing security mechanisms based on file extension filtering. This may lead to remote code execution (RCE), information disclosure, or full system compromise.",
  "id": "GHSA-m92m-qpp4-8jc8",
  "modified": "2025-08-07T15:33:08Z",
  "published": "2025-07-21T18:32:16Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-44658"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gist.github.com/TPCchecker/c72eea7a3f89070dab7dfdbf7504b2d6"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.netgear.com/about/security"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.notion.so/CVE-2025-44658-24754a1113e780df8f72c779a108f75b"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M93P-F6R3-69JP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-10 09:30 – Updated: 2026-02-10 09:30
VLAI
Details

Agentflow developed by Flowring has an Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability, allowing authenticated remote attackers to upload and execute web shell backdoors, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution on the server.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-2097"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-02-10T07:16:14Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Agentflow developed by Flowring has an Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability, allowing authenticated remote attackers to upload and execute web shell backdoors, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution on the server.",
  "id": "GHSA-m93p-f6r3-69jp",
  "modified": "2026-02-10T09:30:27Z",
  "published": "2026-02-10T09:30:26Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-2097"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/en/cp-139-10700-3534d-2.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-10699-49c0b-1.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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-M94M-W679-6Q2R

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-07 19:00 – Updated: 2022-11-08 19:00
VLAI
Details

The d8s-stats for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. A potential code execution backdoor inserted by third parties is the democritus-math package. The affected version of d8s-htm is 0.1.0.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-44051"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-11-07T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "The d8s-stats for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. A potential code execution backdoor inserted by third parties is the democritus-math package. The affected version of d8s-htm is 0.1.0.",
  "id": "GHSA-m94m-w679-6q2r",
  "modified": "2022-11-08T19:00:22Z",
  "published": "2022-11-07T19:00:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-44051"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/dadadadada111/info/issues/15"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://pypi.org/project/d8s-stats"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://pypi.org/project/democritus-math"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M96C-C5GP-88RX

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-13 21:30 – Updated: 2026-04-13 21:30
VLAI
Details

Pachno 1.0.6 contains an unrestricted file upload vulnerability that allows authenticated users to upload arbitrary file types by bypassing ineffective extension filtering to the /uploadfile endpoint. Attackers can upload executable files .php5 scripts to web-accessible directories and execute them to achieve remote code execution on the server.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-40040"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-04-13T19:16:51Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Pachno 1.0.6 contains an unrestricted file upload vulnerability that allows authenticated users to upload arbitrary file types by bypassing ineffective extension filtering to the /uploadfile endpoint. Attackers can upload executable files .php5 scripts to web-accessible directories and execute them to achieve remote code execution on the server.",
  "id": "GHSA-m96c-c5gp-88rx",
  "modified": "2026-04-13T21:30:43Z",
  "published": "2026-04-13T21:30:43Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40040"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/pachno-unrestricted-file-upload-remote-code-execution"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2026-5982.php"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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-M96C-H623-G6W7

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2023-04-10 21:30
VLAI
Details

Permissions vulnerability found in KiteCMS allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the upload file type.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-31707"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-04-04T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Permissions vulnerability found in KiteCMS allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the upload file type.",
  "id": "GHSA-m96c-h623-g6w7",
  "modified": "2023-04-10T21:30:23Z",
  "published": "2023-04-04T15:30:27Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-31707"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/Kitesky/KiteCMS/issues/8"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.224929"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-M9CH-G2XV-XF8C

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-05 21:31 – Updated: 2025-08-05 21:31
VLAI
Details

The WordPress plugin Asset-Manager version 2.0 and below contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in upload.php. The endpoint fails to properly validate and restrict uploaded file types, allowing remote attackers to upload malicious PHP scripts to a predictable temporary directory. Once uploaded, the attacker can execute the file via a direct HTTP GET request, resulting in remote code execution under the web server’s context.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2012-10026"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-434"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-08-05T20:15:33Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "The WordPress plugin Asset-Manager version 2.0 and below contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in upload.php. The endpoint fails to properly validate and restrict uploaded file types, allowing remote attackers to upload malicious PHP scripts to a predictable temporary directory. Once uploaded, the attacker can execute the file via a direct HTTP GET request, resulting in remote code execution under the web server\u2019s context.",
  "id": "GHSA-m9ch-g2xv-xf8c",
  "modified": "2025-08-05T21:31:38Z",
  "published": "2025-08-05T21:31:38Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-10026"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/unix/webapp/wp_asset_manager_upload_exec.rb"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://wordpress.org/plugins/asset-manager"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18993"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/23652"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wordpress-plugin-asset-manager-php-file-upload"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20150106144832/http://www.opensyscom.fr:80/Actualites/wordpress-plugins-asset-manager-shell-upload-vulnerability.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/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"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Generate a new, unique filename for an uploaded file instead of using the user-supplied filename, so that no external input is used at all.[REF-422] [REF-423]

Mitigation MIT-21
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.

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Consider storing the uploaded files outside of the web document root entirely. Then, use other mechanisms to deliver the files dynamically. [REF-423]

Mitigation MIT-5
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.
  • For example, limiting filenames to alphanumeric characters can help to restrict the introduction of unintended file extensions.
Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Define a very limited set of allowable extensions and only generate filenames that end in these extensions. Consider the possibility of XSS (CWE-79) before allowing .html or .htm file types.

Mitigation
Implementation

Strategy: Input Validation

Ensure that only one extension is used in the filename. Some web servers, including some versions of Apache, may process files based on inner extensions so that "filename.php.gif" is fed to the PHP interpreter.[REF-422] [REF-423]

Mitigation
Implementation

When running on a web server that supports case-insensitive filenames, perform case-insensitive evaluations of the extensions that are provided.

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
Implementation

Do not rely exclusively on sanity checks of file contents to ensure that the file is of the expected type and size. It may be possible for an attacker to hide code in some file segments that will still be executed by the server. For example, GIF images may contain a free-form comments field.

Mitigation
Implementation

Do not rely exclusively on the MIME content type or filename attribute when determining how to render a file. Validating the MIME content type and ensuring that it matches the extension is only a partial solution.

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-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.
CAPEC-1: Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs

In applications, particularly web applications, access to functionality is mitigated by an authorization framework. This framework maps Access Control Lists (ACLs) to elements of the application's functionality; particularly URL's for web apps. In the case that the administrator failed to specify an ACL for a particular element, an attacker may be able to access it with impunity. An attacker with the ability to access functionality not properly constrained by ACLs can obtain sensitive information and possibly compromise the entire application. Such an attacker can access resources that must be available only to users at a higher privilege level, can access management sections of the application, or can run queries for data that they otherwise not supposed to.