Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-59

Allowed

Improper 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.

1992 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-3J95-64VV-272J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:45 – Updated: 2024-04-04 03:05
VLAI
Details

OpenVPN Connect installer for macOS version 3.2.6 and older may corrupt system critical files it should not have access via symlinks in /tmp.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-15075"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59",
      "CWE-61"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-03-30T14:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "OpenVPN Connect installer for macOS version 3.2.6 and older may corrupt system critical files it should not have access via symlinks in /tmp.",
  "id": "GHSA-3j95-64vv-272j",
  "modified": "2024-04-04T03:05:37Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:45:40Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15075"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://openvpn.net/vpn-server-resources/openvpn-connect-for-macos-change-log"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3JHC-WJQF-5F2C

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:35 – Updated: 2024-11-18 23:01
VLAI
Summary
Virtualenv Allows Symlink Attack on /tmp/
Details

virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "virtualenv"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "1.5"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2011-4617"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2024-01-19T17:40:42Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2011-12-31T01:55:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/.",
  "id": "GHSA-3jhc-wjqf-5f2c",
  "modified": "2024-11-18T23:01:50Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T05:35:07Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-4617"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/68075ad9ededf7df2c46d385f836c13b729de2ca"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bitbucket.org/ianb/virtualenv/changeset/8be37c509fe5"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/virtualenv/PYSEC-2011-23.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20200228151935/https://bitbucket.org/ianb/virtualenv/commits/8be37c509fe5"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-January/071638.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-January/071643.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/2"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/4"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/19/5"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Virtualenv Allows Symlink Attack on /tmp/"
}

GHSA-3JRQ-X5VV-PVCW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-25 00:00 – Updated: 2023-12-28 18:30
VLAI
Details

Windows 10 Update Assistant Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-43211.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-42297"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-11-24T01:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Windows 10 Update Assistant Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2021-43211.",
  "id": "GHSA-3jrq-x5vv-pvcw",
  "modified": "2023-12-28T18:30:31Z",
  "published": "2021-11-25T00:00:40Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42297"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-42297"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1334"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3JV8-5F69-QHFW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:28 – Updated: 2024-01-01 00:30
VLAI
Details

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the OneDrive for Windows Desktop application improperly handles symbolic links, aka 'OneDrive for Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-16851, CVE-2020-16852.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-16853"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-09-11T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "LOW"
  },
  "details": "An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the OneDrive for Windows Desktop application improperly handles symbolic links, aka \u0027OneDrive for Windows Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability\u0027. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-16851, CVE-2020-16852.",
  "id": "GHSA-3jv8-5f69-qhfw",
  "modified": "2024-01-01T00:30:39Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:28:06Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-16853"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16853"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3JX4-Q2M7-R496

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-04 19:21 – Updated: 2026-03-04 19:21
VLAI
Summary
OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations
Details

Summary

In certain workspace-restricted configurations, OpenClaw could follow hardlink aliases inside the workspace that reference files outside the workspace boundary.

By default, tools.fs.workspaceOnly is off. This primarily affects deployments that intentionally enable workspace-only filesystem restrictions (and workspace-only apply_patch checks).

Impact

  • Confidentiality: out-of-workspace files could be read through in-workspace hardlink aliases.
  • Integrity: out-of-workspace files could be modified through in-workspace hardlink aliases.

Affected Packages / Versions

  • Package: openclaw (npm)
  • Latest published version at triage time: 2026.2.24
  • Affected range: <= 2026.2.24
  • Planned patched version: 2026.2.25

Fix Commit(s)

  • 04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e (main)

Remediation

OpenClaw now rejects hardlinked final-file aliases during workspace boundary validation for: - workspace-only path checks (read / write / edit) - workspace-only apply_patch read/write paths - sandbox mount-root path-safety checks

Regression tests were added for apply_patch, workspace fs tools, and sandbox fs bridge hardlink alias escapes.

OpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "database_specific": {
        "last_known_affected_version_range": "\u003c= 2026.2.24"
      },
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "openclaw"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2026.2.25"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59",
      "CWE-668"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2026-03-04T19:21:04Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "### Summary\nIn certain workspace-restricted configurations, OpenClaw could follow hardlink aliases inside the workspace that reference files outside the workspace boundary.\n\nBy default, `tools.fs.workspaceOnly` is off. This primarily affects deployments that intentionally enable workspace-only filesystem restrictions (and workspace-only `apply_patch` checks).\n\n### Impact\n- Confidentiality: out-of-workspace files could be read through in-workspace hardlink aliases.\n- Integrity: out-of-workspace files could be modified through in-workspace hardlink aliases.\n\n### Affected Packages / Versions\n- Package: `openclaw` (npm)\n- Latest published version at triage time: `2026.2.24`\n- Affected range: `\u003c= 2026.2.24`\n- Planned patched version: `2026.2.25`\n\n### Fix Commit(s)\n- `04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e` (main)\n\n### Remediation\nOpenClaw now rejects hardlinked final-file aliases during workspace boundary validation for:\n- workspace-only path checks (`read` / `write` / `edit`)\n- workspace-only `apply_patch` read/write paths\n- sandbox mount-root path-safety checks\n\nRegression tests were added for `apply_patch`, workspace fs tools, and sandbox fs bridge hardlink alias escapes.\n\nOpenClaw thanks @tdjackey for reporting.",
  "id": "GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496",
  "modified": "2026-03-04T19:21:04Z",
  "published": "2026-03-04T19:21:04Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/security/advisories/GHSA-3jx4-q2m7-r496"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/commit/04d91d0319b82fd4de91ed05e9fc5219ff2ab64e"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "OpenClaw: Hardlink alias checks could bypass workspace-only file boundaries in specific configurations"
}

GHSA-3M5Q-4MJ3-9362

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 06:15 – Updated: 2022-05-02 06:15
VLAI
Details

pam_motd (aka the MOTD module) in libpam-modules before 1.1.0-2ubuntu1.1 in PAM on Ubuntu 9.10 and libpam-modules before 1.1.1-2ubuntu5 in PAM on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS allows local users to change the ownership of arbitrary files via a symlink attack on .cache in a user's home directory, related to "user file stamps" and the motd.legal-notice file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2010-0832"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2010-07-12T16:30:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "pam_motd (aka the MOTD module) in libpam-modules before 1.1.0-2ubuntu1.1 in PAM on Ubuntu 9.10 and libpam-modules before 1.1.1-2ubuntu5 in PAM on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS allows local users to change the ownership of arbitrary files via a symlink attack on .cache in a user\u0027s home directory, related to \"user file stamps\" and the motd.legal-notice file.",
  "id": "GHSA-3m5q-4mj3-9362",
  "modified": "2022-05-02T06:15:58Z",
  "published": "2022-05-02T06:15:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-0832"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/60194"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/40512"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://twitter.com/jonoberheide/statuses/18009527979"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/14273"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Ubuntu-closes-root-hole-1034618.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.osvdb.org/66116"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/41465"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-959-1"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/1747"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-3M96-W3XC-W9J4

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 01:52 – Updated: 2024-01-26 18:30
VLAI
Details

The internal_dump function in Mathopd before 1.5p5, and 1.6x before 1.6b6 BETA, when Mathopd is running with the -n option, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on dump files that are triggered by a SIGWINCH signal.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2005-0824"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2005-05-02T04:00:00Z",
    "severity": "LOW"
  },
  "details": "The internal_dump function in Mathopd before 1.5p5, and 1.6x before 1.6b6 BETA, when Mathopd is running with the -n option, allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on dump files that are triggered by a SIGWINCH signal.",
  "id": "GHSA-3m96-w3xc-w9j4",
  "modified": "2024-01-26T18:30:30Z",
  "published": "2022-05-01T01:52:18Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2005-0824"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/14524"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.mail-archive.com/mathopd%40mathopd.org/msg00272.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3MQP-F6X6-JJ6X

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-23 03:31 – Updated: 2024-11-23 03:31
VLAI
Details

Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-23731.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-7233"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T22:15:16Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Avast Free Antivirus AvastSvc Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Free Antivirus. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Avast Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a folder. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-23731.",
  "id": "GHSA-3mqp-f6x6-jj6x",
  "modified": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
  "published": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-7233"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1005"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3P26-P878-MH93

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-14 18:32 – Updated: 2026-07-14 18:32
VLAI
Details

Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Server Backup allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-50364"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-07-14T17:17:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Improper link resolution before file access (\u0027link following\u0027) in Windows Server Backup allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.",
  "id": "GHSA-3p26-p878-mh93",
  "modified": "2026-07-14T18:32:05Z",
  "published": "2026-07-14T18:32:05Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-50364"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-50364"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-3PHM-WPXF-97GH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-19 15:31 – Updated: 2026-05-19 18:32
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered in the Portrait Dell Color Management application before 3.7.0 for Dell monitors. On Windows, a symbolic link vulnerability allows a local low-privileged user to escalate privileges to Administrator. During installation, the software writes the file CCFLFamily_07Feb11.edr to C:\ProgramData\Portrait Displays\CW\data\i1D3\ while running with elevated privileges. Because the installer does not properly validate symbolic links or reparse points at the destination path, an attacker can create a malicious link that redirects the write operation to an arbitrary system location, enabling arbitrary file creation or overwrite with elevated privileges.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-34883"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-59"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-05-19T15:16:30Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered in the Portrait Dell Color Management application before 3.7.0 for Dell monitors. On Windows, a symbolic link vulnerability allows a local low-privileged user to escalate privileges to Administrator. During installation, the software writes the file CCFLFamily_07Feb11.edr to C:\\ProgramData\\Portrait Displays\\CW\\data\\i1D3\\ while running with elevated privileges. Because the installer does not properly validate symbolic links or reparse points at the destination path, an attacker can create a malicious link that redirects the write operation to an arbitrary system location, enabling arbitrary file creation or overwrite with elevated privileges.",
  "id": "GHSA-3phm-wpxf-97gh",
  "modified": "2026-05-19T18:32:10Z",
  "published": "2026-05-19T15:31:35Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-34883"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.portrait.com/dell"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.portrait.com/dell-security-cve-updates"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
      "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.