Common Weakness Enumeration
CWE-59
AllowedImproper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
1988 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-PWPQ-84P4-86MX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-30 06:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:22
VLAI
Details
imapsync through 2.229 uses predictable paths under /tmp and /var/tmp in its default mode of operation. Both of these are typically world-writable, and thus (for example) an attacker can modify imapsync's cache and overwrite files belonging to the user who runs it.
Severity
6.5 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-34204"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-30T04:15:10Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "imapsync through 2.229 uses predictable paths under /tmp and /var/tmp in its default mode of operation. Both of these are typically world-writable, and thus (for example) an attacker can modify imapsync\u0027s cache and overwrite files belonging to the user who runs it.",
"id": "GHSA-pwpq-84p4-86mx",
"modified": "2024-04-04T04:22:55Z",
"published": "2023-05-30T06:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-34204"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/imapsync/imapsync/issues/399"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PWRQ-5RJ3-C43M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-20 03:31 – Updated: 2026-05-20 03:31
VLAI
Details
Rsync version 3.4.2 and prior contain symlink race condition vulnerabilities in path-based system calls including chmod, lchown, utimes, rename, unlink, mkdir, symlink, mknod, link, rmdir, and lstat that allow local attackers to redirect operations to files outside the exported rsync module. Attackers with local filesystem access can exploit the timing window between path resolution and syscall execution by swapping symlinks to apply sender-supplied permissions, ownership, timestamps, or filenames to arbitrary files outside the intended module boundary on rsync daemons configured with 'use chroot = no'.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-43619"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-20T02:16:36Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Rsync version\u00a03.4.2 and prior contain symlink race condition vulnerabilities in path-based system calls including chmod, lchown, utimes, rename, unlink, mkdir, symlink, mknod, link, rmdir, and lstat that allow local attackers to redirect operations to files outside the exported rsync module. Attackers with local filesystem access can exploit the timing window between path resolution and syscall execution by swapping symlinks to apply sender-supplied permissions, ownership, timestamps, or filenames to arbitrary files outside the intended module boundary on rsync daemons configured with \u0027use chroot = no\u0027.",
"id": "GHSA-pwrq-5rj3-c43m",
"modified": "2026-05-20T03:31:33Z",
"published": "2026-05-20T03:31:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/security/advisories/GHSA-4h9m-w5ff-j735"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43619"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/RsyncProject/rsync/releases/tag/v3.4.3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/rsync-symlink-race-condition-via-path-based-syscalls"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/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-PWRQ-J4R3-977F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 02:41 – Updated: 2022-05-14 02:41
VLAI
Details
Enomaly Elastic Computing Platform (ECP), formerly Enomalism, before 2.1.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/enomalism2.pid temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-4990"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2009-02-02T22:30:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Enomaly Elastic Computing Platform (ECP), formerly Enomalism, before 2.1.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/enomalism2.pid temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-pwrq-j4r3-977f",
"modified": "2022-05-14T02:41:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T02:41:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-4990"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://groups.google.com/group/enomalism/msg/11c2f51b3734b0ab?dmode=source"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/33724"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500573/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33544"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-PWVC-4R36-XF4C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-04 03:30 – Updated: 2025-12-17 21:30
VLAI
Details
This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in visionOS 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.
Severity
6.5 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43448"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-284",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-04T02:15:50Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in visionOS 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1. An app may be able to break out of its sandbox.",
"id": "GHSA-pwvc-4r36-xf4c",
"modified": "2025-12-17T21:30:37Z",
"published": "2025-11-04T03:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43448"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125633"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125635"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125636"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125637"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125638"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125639"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PX7F-389H-299V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-10 18:30 – Updated: 2026-02-10 18:30
VLAI
Details
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows App for Mac allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
Severity
7.0 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-21517"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-10T18:16:34Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Windows App for Mac allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
"id": "GHSA-px7f-389h-299v",
"modified": "2026-02-10T18:30:42Z",
"published": "2026-02-10T18:30:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-21517"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-21517"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-PXMH-FJVC-V752
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:38 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:38
VLAI
Details
Open-source ARJ archiver 3.10.22 allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks via a symlink attack in an ARJ archive.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-0556"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-04-08T18:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Open-source ARJ archiver 3.10.22 allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks via a symlink attack in an ARJ archive.",
"id": "GHSA-pxmh-fjvc-v752",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:38:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:38:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0556"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=774434"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-15"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/154518.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/154605.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/155011.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3213"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2015:201"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/03/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/05/9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/71860"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-PXP9-FMHC-VJVG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:21 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:21
VLAI
Details
KDE Konqueror 3.5.7 allows remote attackers to spoof the URL address bar by calling setInterval with a small interval and changing the window.location property.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-4224"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-08-08T21:17:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "KDE Konqueror 3.5.7 allows remote attackers to spoof the URL address bar by calling setInterval with a small interval and changing the window.location property.",
"id": "GHSA-pxp9-fmhc-vjvg",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:21:32Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:21:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-4224"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/35828"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1615"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9879"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-October/msg00022.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2007-October/msg00085.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2007-August/065101.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2007-10/msg00006.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/26351"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/26612"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/26690"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/26720"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27089"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27090"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27096"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27106"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27108"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27271"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securityreason.com/securityalert/2982"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securitytracker.com/id?1018579"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.kde.org/info/security/advisory-20070816-1.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2007:176"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2007-0905.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2007-0909.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475689/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475730/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475731/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/475763/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/25219"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-502-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2007/2807"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-PXPX-75QH-G8X5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-13 09:30 – Updated: 2025-07-13 09:30
VLAI
Details
An issue in Cato Networks' CatoClient for Linux, before version 5.5, allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to root by exploiting improper symbolic link handling.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-7012"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-13T08:15:22Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue in Cato Networks\u0027 CatoClient for Linux, before version 5.5, allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to root by exploiting improper symbolic link handling.",
"id": "GHSA-pxpx-75qh-g8x5",
"modified": "2025-07-13T09:30:33Z",
"published": "2025-07-13T09:30:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-7012"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.catonetworks.com/hc/en-us/articles/28552501717405-CVE-2025-7012-Linux-Client-Local-Privilege-Escalation-via-Symbolic-Link-Handling"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/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:Y/R:U/V:X/RE:M/U:Green",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-Q234-X887-9RXH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-16 00:01 – Updated: 2023-05-30 19:35
VLAI
Summary
Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in Jenkins Pipeline: Shared Groovy Libraries Plugin
Details
Jenkins Pipeline: Shared Groovy Libraries Plugin 552.vd9cc05b8a2e1 and earlier follows symbolic links to locations outside of the expected Pipeline library when reading files using the libraryResource step, allowing attackers able to configure Pipelines to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins controller file system.
Severity
6.5 (Medium)
{
"affected": [
{
"database_specific": {
"last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 552.vd9cc05b8a2e1"
},
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.jenkins-ci.plugins.workflow:workflow-cps-global-lib"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.22"
},
{
"fixed": "561.va_ce0de3c2d69"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.jenkins-ci.plugins.workflow:workflow-cps-global-lib"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.19"
},
{
"fixed": "2.21.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.jenkins-ci.plugins.workflow:workflow-cps-global-lib"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "2.18.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-25177"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-06-20T22:46:46Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-15T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Jenkins Pipeline: Shared Groovy Libraries Plugin 552.vd9cc05b8a2e1 and earlier follows symbolic links to locations outside of the expected Pipeline library when reading files using the libraryResource step, allowing attackers able to configure Pipelines to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins controller file system.",
"id": "GHSA-q234-x887-9rxh",
"modified": "2023-05-30T19:35:37Z",
"published": "2022-02-16T00:01:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-25177"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/jenkinsci/workflow-cps-global-lib-plugin"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2022-02-15/#SECURITY-2613"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "Improper Link Resolution Before File Access in Jenkins Pipeline: Shared Groovy Libraries Plugin"
}
GHSA-Q24Q-C8XG-XMVG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:44 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:39
VLAI
Details
Automatic Bug Reporting Tool (ABRT) allows local users to read, change the ownership of, or have other unspecified impact on arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /var/tmp/abrt//maps, (2) /tmp/jvm-/hs_error.log, (3) /proc/*/exe, (4) /etc/os-release in a chroot, or (5) an unspecified root directory related to librpm.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-3315"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-26T15:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Automatic Bug Reporting Tool (ABRT) allows local users to read, change the ownership of, or have other unspecified impact on arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) /var/tmp/abrt/*/maps, (2) /tmp/jvm-*/hs_error.log, (3) /proc/*/exe, (4) /etc/os-release in a chroot, or (5) an unspecified root directory related to librpm.",
"id": "GHSA-q24q-c8xg-xmvg",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:39:31Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:44:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-3315"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/abrt/abrt/commit/17cb66b13997b0159b4253b3f5722db79f476d68"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/abrt/abrt/commit/4f2c1ddd3e3b81d2d5146b883115371f1cada9f9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/abrt/abrt/commit/80408e9e24a1c10f85fd969e1853e0f192157f92"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/abrt/abrt/commit/d6e2f6f128cef4c21cb80941ae674c9842681aa7"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1211835"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44097"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1083.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1210.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/14/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/16/12"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/75117"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Architecture and Design
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack
An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.
CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.
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.