CWE-77
Allowed-with-ReviewImproper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
6007 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-52HH-4QQC-MXWH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:56 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:56The Sophos Web Appliance (version 4.2.1.3) is vulnerable to two Remote Command Injection vulnerabilities affecting its web administrative interface. These vulnerabilities occur in the MgrReport.php (/controllers/MgrReport.php) component responsible for blocking and unblocking IP addresses from accessing the device. The device doesn't properly escape the information passed in the variables 'unblockip' and 'blockip' before calling the shell_exec() function which allows for system commands to be injected into the device. The code erroneously suggests that the information handled is protected by utilizing the variable name 'escapedips' - however this was not the case. The Sophos ID is NSWA-1258.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-9553"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-01-28T12:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The Sophos Web Appliance (version 4.2.1.3) is vulnerable to two Remote Command Injection vulnerabilities affecting its web administrative interface. These vulnerabilities occur in the MgrReport.php (/controllers/MgrReport.php) component responsible for blocking and unblocking IP addresses from accessing the device. The device doesn\u0027t properly escape the information passed in the variables \u0027unblockip\u0027 and \u0027blockip\u0027 before calling the shell_exec() function which allows for system commands to be injected into the device. The code erroneously suggests that the information handled is protected by utilizing the variable name \u0027escapedips\u0027 - however this was not the case. The Sophos ID is NSWA-1258.",
"id": "GHSA-52hh-4qqc-mxwh",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:56:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:56:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9553"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://community.sophos.com/products/web-appliance/b/blog/posts/release-of-swa-version-4-3-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://pastebin.com/DUYuN0U5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://swa.sophos.com/rn/swa/concepts/ReleaseNotes_4.3.1.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95853"
}
],
"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:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-52V2-8XVG-R55R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:51 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:51There was an command injection vulnerability in Sourcetree for Windows from version 0.5a before version 3.0.10 via URI handling. A remote attacker could send a malicious URI to a victim using Sourcetree for Windows to exploit this issue to gain code execution on the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-20236"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-08T18:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "There was an command injection vulnerability in Sourcetree for Windows from version 0.5a before version 3.0.10 via URI handling. A remote attacker could send a malicious URI to a victim using Sourcetree for Windows to exploit this issue to gain code execution on the system.",
"id": "GHSA-52v2-8xvg-r55r",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:51:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:51:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-20236"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/SRCTREEWIN-11291"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Mar/30"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152173/Sourcetree-Git-Arbitrary-Code-Execution-URL-Handling.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107401"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-52WQ-8J3G-PVXX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-10 18:31 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:32SNMP objects in NET-SNMP used in ORing IAP-420 allows Command Injection. This issue affects IAP-420: through 2.01e.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-55547"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-10T17:15:13Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "SNMP objects in NET-SNMP used in ORing IAP-420 allows Command Injection.\u00a0This issue affects IAP-420: through 2.01e.",
"id": "GHSA-52wq-8j3g-pvxx",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:32:09Z",
"published": "2024-12-10T18:31:07Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-55547"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cyberdanube.com/security-research/st-polten-uas-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-oring-iap"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2024/Dec/3"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/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-5339-QQH7-6FH8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:19 – Updated: 2024-04-04 02:52A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper input sanitization. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted file to the web UI of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the device.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-3212"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-78"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-06-03T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper input sanitization. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a crafted file to the web UI of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the device.",
"id": "GHSA-5339-qqh7-6fh8",
"modified": "2024-04-04T02:52:12Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:19:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-3212"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-web-cmdinj3-44st5CcA"
}
],
"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-533P-G2HQ-QR26
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-04 17:16 – Updated: 2020-08-31 18:59All versions of treekill are vulnerable to Command Injection. The package fails to sanitize values passed to the kill function. If this value is user-controlled it may allow attackers to run arbitrary commands in the server. The issue only affects Windows systems.
Recommendation
No fix is currently available. Consider using an alternative package until a fix is made available.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "treekill"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0.0.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:59:07Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "All versions of `treekill` are vulnerable to Command Injection. The package fails to sanitize values passed to the `kill` function. If this value is user-controlled it may allow attackers to run arbitrary commands in the server. The issue only affects Windows systems.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nNo fix is currently available. Consider using an alternative package until a fix is made available.",
"id": "GHSA-533p-g2hq-qr26",
"modified": "2020-08-31T18:59:07Z",
"published": "2020-09-04T17:16:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hackerone.com/reports/703415"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1433"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [],
"summary": "Command Injection in treekill"
}
GHSA-534G-WPCR-FM9Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-14 18:32 – Updated: 2026-07-14 18:32Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Outlook Copilot allows an authorized attacker to perform tampering over a network.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-55145"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-14T18:18:21Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command (\u0027command injection\u0027) in Outlook Copilot allows an authorized attacker to perform tampering over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-534g-wpcr-fm9q",
"modified": "2026-07-14T18:32:36Z",
"published": "2026-07-14T18:32:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-55145"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-55145"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-538R-X966-M3M2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-29 03:30 – Updated: 2026-09-29 03:30A vulnerability was found in Netcore NAP930 0.1.241010.141410. This affects the function eval of the file /www/cgi-bin/network_tools of the component Network Tools CGI. The manipulation of the argument sid results in os command injection. The attack may be performed from remote. The exploit has been made public and could be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-102240"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-29T02:16:55Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in Netcore NAP930 0.1.241010.141410. This affects the function eval of the file /www/cgi-bin/network_tools of the component Network Tools CGI. The manipulation of the argument sid results in os command injection. The attack may be performed from remote. The exploit has been made public and could be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.",
"id": "GHSA-538r-x966-m3m2",
"modified": "2026-09-29T03:30:41Z",
"published": "2026-09-29T03:30:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-102240"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/senxitoyshuyi-ui/HACKALL/blob/main/netcore_NAP930%20V0.1.241010.141410%20Router/NAP930_network_tools_command_injection.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/cve/CVE-2026-102240"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/submit/931247"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/411139"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/411139/cti"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"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:P/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-53GH-P8JC-7RG8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-20 12:32 – Updated: 2025-10-15 16:06BerriAI/litellm version 1.40.12 contains a vulnerability that allows remote code execution. The issue exists in the handling of the 'post_call_rules' configuration, where a callback function can be added. The provided value is split at the final '.' mark, with the last part considered the function name and the remaining part appended with the '.py' extension and imported. This allows an attacker to set a system method, such as 'os.system', as a callback, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands when a chat response is processed.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "litellm"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.40.3.dev2"
},
{
"last_affected": "1.40.12"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-6825"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-94"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-03-20T19:55:11Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-03-20T10:15:33Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "BerriAI/litellm version 1.40.12 contains a vulnerability that allows remote code execution. The issue exists in the handling of the \u0027post_call_rules\u0027 configuration, where a callback function can be added. The provided value is split at the final \u0027.\u0027 mark, with the last part considered the function name and the remaining part appended with the \u0027.py\u0027 extension and imported. This allows an attacker to set a system method, such as \u0027os.system\u0027, as a callback, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands when a chat response is processed.",
"id": "GHSA-53gh-p8jc-7rg8",
"modified": "2025-10-15T16:06:56Z",
"published": "2025-03-20T12:32:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-6825"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/berriai/litellm/commit/441c7275ed2715f47650a7c2e525055c804073a9"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm/blob/056913fd7049923a106130b02d7c29e7f312beec/litellm/utils.py#L2818"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://huntr.com/bounties/1d98bebb-6cf4-46c9-87c3-d3b1972973b5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "LiteLLM Vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE)"
}
GHSA-53J9-8FM4-3GF5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-17 09:30 – Updated: 2025-09-17 09:30In JetBrains Junie before 252.284.66, 251.284.66, 243.284.66, 252.284.61, 251.284.61, 243.284.61, 252.284.50, 252.284.54, 251.284.54, 251.284.50, 243.284.54, 243.284.50 code execution was possible due to improper command validation
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59458"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-17T09:15:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In JetBrains Junie before 252.284.66,\n251.284.66,\n243.284.66,\n252.284.61,\n251.284.61,\n243.284.61,\n252.284.50,\n252.284.54,\n251.284.54,\n251.284.50,\n243.284.54,\n243.284.50 code execution was possible due to improper command validation",
"id": "GHSA-53j9-8fm4-3gf5",
"modified": "2025-09-17T09:30:45Z",
"published": "2025-09-17T09:30:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59458"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-53JH-9M5F-XCX8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-09 00:00 – Updated: 2022-03-17 00:05D-Link device D-Link DIR-823-Pro v1.0.2 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the function SetWLanApcliSettings. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the ApCliKeyStr parameter.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-46454"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-04T02:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "D-Link device D-Link DIR-823-Pro v1.0.2 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the function SetWLanApcliSettings. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the ApCliKeyStr parameter.",
"id": "GHSA-53jh-9m5f-xcx8",
"modified": "2022-03-17T00:05:57Z",
"published": "2022-02-09T00:00:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-46454"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pjqwudi/my_vuln/blob/main/D-link/vuln_24/24.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://supportannouncement.us.dlink.com/announcement/publication.aspx?name=SAP10285"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dlink.com/en/security-bulletin"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
Mitigation
If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
Mitigation
If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
Mitigation MIT-5
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.
Mitigation
Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
Mitigation
Assign permissions that prevent the user from accessing/opening privileged files.
CAPEC-136: LDAP Injection
An attacker manipulates or crafts an LDAP query for the purpose of undermining the security of the target. Some applications use user input to create LDAP queries that are processed by an LDAP server. For example, a user might provide their username during authentication and the username might be inserted in an LDAP query during the authentication process. An attacker could use this input to inject additional commands into an LDAP query that could disclose sensitive information. For example, entering a * in the aforementioned query might return information about all users on the system. This attack is very similar to an SQL injection attack in that it manipulates a query to gather additional information or coerce a particular return value.
CAPEC-15: Command Delimiters
An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that allows an attacker's commands to be concatenated onto a legitimate command with the intent of targeting other resources such as the file system or database. The system that uses a filter or denylist input validation, as opposed to allowlist validation is vulnerable to an attacker who predicts delimiters (or combinations of delimiters) not present in the filter or denylist. As with other injection attacks, the attacker uses the command delimiter payload as an entry point to tunnel through the application and activate additional attacks through SQL queries, shell commands, network scanning, and so on.
CAPEC-183: IMAP/SMTP Command Injection
An adversary exploits weaknesses in input validation on web-mail servers to execute commands on the IMAP/SMTP server. Web-mail servers often sit between the Internet and the IMAP or SMTP mail server. User requests are received by the web-mail servers which then query the back-end mail server for the requested information and return this response to the user. In an IMAP/SMTP command injection attack, mail-server commands are embedded in parts of the request sent to the web-mail server. If the web-mail server fails to adequately sanitize these requests, these commands are then sent to the back-end mail server when it is queried by the web-mail server, where the commands are then executed. This attack can be especially dangerous since administrators may assume that the back-end server is protected against direct Internet access and therefore may not secure it adequately against the execution of malicious commands.
CAPEC-248: Command Injection
An adversary looking to execute a command of their choosing, injects new items into an existing command thus modifying interpretation away from what was intended. Commands in this context are often standalone strings that are interpreted by a downstream component and cause specific responses. This type of attack is possible when untrusted values are used to build these command strings. Weaknesses in input validation or command construction can enable the attack and lead to successful exploitation.
CAPEC-40: Manipulating Writeable Terminal Devices
This attack exploits terminal devices that allow themselves to be written to by other users. The attacker sends command strings to the target terminal device hoping that the target user will hit enter and thereby execute the malicious command with their privileges. The attacker can send the results (such as copying /etc/passwd) to a known directory and collect once the attack has succeeded.
CAPEC-43: Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation Layers
An attacker supplies the target software with input data that contains sequences of special characters designed to bypass input validation logic. This exploit relies on the target making multiples passes over the input data and processing a "layer" of special characters with each pass. In this manner, the attacker can disguise input that would otherwise be rejected as invalid by concealing it with layers of special/escape characters that are stripped off by subsequent processing steps. The goal is to first discover cases where the input validation layer executes before one or more parsing layers. That is, user input may go through the following logic in an application: <parser1> --> <input validator> --> <parser2>. In such cases, the attacker will need to provide input that will pass through the input validator, but after passing through parser2, will be converted into something that the input validator was supposed to stop.
CAPEC-75: Manipulating Writeable Configuration Files
Generally these are manually edited files that are not in the preview of the system administrators, any ability on the attackers' behalf to modify these files, for example in a CVS repository, gives unauthorized access directly to the application, the same as authorized users.
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.