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.
5383 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-GRQQ-HCC7-CRMR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-10-22 18:32 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:31A vulnerability has been found in the CPython venv module and CLI where path names provided when creating a virtual environment were not quoted properly, allowing the creator to inject commands into virtual environment "activation" scripts (ie "source venv/bin/activate"). This means that attacker-controlled virtual environments are able to run commands when the virtual environment is activated. Virtual environments which are not created by an attacker or which aren't activated before being used (ie "./venv/bin/python") are not affected.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-9287"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428",
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-10-22T17:15:06Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability has been found in the CPython `venv` module and CLI where path names provided when creating a virtual environment were not quoted properly, allowing the creator to inject commands into virtual environment \"activation\" scripts (ie \"source venv/bin/activate\"). This means that attacker-controlled virtual environments are able to run commands when the virtual environment is activated. Virtual environments which are not created by an attacker or which aren\u0027t activated before being used (ie \"./venv/bin/python\") are not affected.",
"id": "GHSA-grqq-hcc7-crmr",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:31:47Z",
"published": "2024-10-22T18:32:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9287"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/124651"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/124712"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/633555735a023d3e4d92ba31da35b1205f9ecbd7"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/8450b2482586857d689b6658f08de9c8179af7db"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/9286ab3a107ea41bd3f3c3682ce2512692bdded8"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/ae961ae94bf19c8f8c7fbea3d1c25cc55ce8ae97"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/d48cc82ed25e26b02eb97c6263d95dcaa1e9111b"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/e52095a0c1005a87eed2276af7a1f2f66e2b6483"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/11/msg00024.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/12/msg00000.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce@python.org/thread/RSPJ2B5JL22FG3TKUJ7D7DQ4N5JRRBZL"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250425-0006"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:A/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:Green",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-GRRF-Q8MM-C5X7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-30 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-30 18:30A vulnerability was found in Tenda W6-S 1.0.0.4(510). This affects the function TendaAte of the file /goform/ate of the component ATE Service. Performing manipulation results in os command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been made public and could be used.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-15254"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-30T16:15:44Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in Tenda W6-S 1.0.0.4(510). This affects the function TendaAte of the file /goform/ate of the component ATE Service. Performing manipulation results in os command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been made public and could be used.",
"id": "GHSA-grrf-q8mm-c5x7",
"modified": "2025-12-30T18:30:18Z",
"published": "2025-12-30T18:30:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-15254"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/dwBruijn/CVEs/blob/main/Tenda/ate.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.338644"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.338644"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.725499"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tenda.com.cn"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/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-GRVW-7H5X-QRX9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:15 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:15A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect QNAP device running QVR. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow remote attackers to run arbitrary commands. We have already fixed this vulnerability in the following versions of QVR: QVR 5.1.5 build 20210803 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-34351"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-78"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-27T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect QNAP device running QVR. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow remote attackers to run arbitrary commands. We have already fixed this vulnerability in the following versions of QVR: QVR 5.1.5 build 20210803 and later",
"id": "GHSA-grvw-7h5x-qrx9",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:15:55Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:15:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34351"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-21-35"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-GV2C-V9GM-W42J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 00:50 – Updated: 2022-05-17 00:50IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.5 and 7.6 could allow an authenticated user to inject commands into work orders that could be executed by another user that downloads the affected file. IBM X-Force ID: 126538.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-1352"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-09-12T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.5 and 7.6 could allow an authenticated user to inject commands into work orders that could be executed by another user that downloads the affected file. IBM X-Force ID: 126538.",
"id": "GHSA-gv2c-v9gm-w42j",
"modified": "2022-05-17T00:50:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T00:50:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-1352"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/126538"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg22006650"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100697"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-GV2H-MCRV-W23W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-12 03:33 – Updated: 2025-09-12 03:33Ai command injection in Agentic AI and Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-55319"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-09-12T02:15:46Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Ai command injection in Agentic AI and Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.",
"id": "GHSA-gv2h-mcrv-w23w",
"modified": "2025-09-12T03:33:06Z",
"published": "2025-09-12T03:33:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-55319"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-55319"
}
],
"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-GV3H-6F48-RRFP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-05 15:30 – Updated: 2024-11-05 18:32Netgear R8500 v1.0.2.160, XR300 v1.0.3.78, R7000P v1.3.3.154, and R6400 v2 1.0.4.128 were discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the component wlg_adv.cgi via the apmode_gateway parameter. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted request.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-52022"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-05T15:15:27Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Netgear R8500 v1.0.2.160, XR300 v1.0.3.78, R7000P v1.3.3.154, and R6400 v2 1.0.4.128 were discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the component wlg_adv.cgi via the apmode_gateway parameter. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted request.",
"id": "GHSA-gv3h-6f48-rrfp",
"modified": "2024-11-05T18:32:11Z",
"published": "2024-11-05T15:30:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-52022"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/wudipjq/my_vuln/blob/main/Netgear4/vuln_48/48.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.netgear.com/about/security"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-GV87-Q66H-4277
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-16 00:02 – Updated: 2022-01-25 21:02iTextPDF in iText before 7.1.17 allows command injection via a CompareTool filename that is mishandled on the gs (aka Ghostscript) command line in GhostscriptHelper.java.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "com.itextpdf:itext7-core"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "7.1.17"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "com.itextpdf:itextpdf"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "5.5.13.3"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-43113"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-01-25T21:02:25Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2021-12-15T07:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "iTextPDF in iText before 7.1.17 allows command injection via a CompareTool filename that is mishandled on the gs (aka Ghostscript) command line in GhostscriptHelper.java.",
"id": "GHSA-gv87-q66h-4277",
"modified": "2022-01-25T21:02:25Z",
"published": "2021-12-16T00:02:15Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43113"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/itext/itext7"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/itext/itext7/releases/tag/7.1.17"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/itext/itextpdf/releases/tag/5.5.13.3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/01/msg00013.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pastebin.com/BXnkY9YY"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5323"
}
],
"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"
}
],
"summary": "Command injection in itext7-core"
}
GHSA-GV88-VWQW-9QGJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-03-07 18:31 – Updated: 2025-09-24 21:30A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect QHora. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained administrator access to execute arbitrary commands.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following version: QuRouter 2.4.6.028 and later
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-53700"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-03-07T17:15:20Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A command injection vulnerability has been reported to affect QHora. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow remote attackers who have gained administrator access to execute arbitrary commands.\n\nWe have already fixed the vulnerability in the following version:\nQuRouter 2.4.6.028 and later",
"id": "GHSA-gv88-vwqw-9qgj",
"modified": "2025-09-24T21:30:31Z",
"published": "2025-03-07T18:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-53700"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.qnap.com/en/security-advisory/qsa-25-07"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/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-GVFJ-RX7H-MJ8M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-13 15:31 – Updated: 2024-04-04 07:39An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability [CWE-78] in the management interface of FortiTester 3.0.0 through 7.2.3 may allow an authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized commands via specifically crafted arguments to existing commands.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-36642"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-78"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-13T13:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability [CWE-78]\u00a0in the management interface of FortiTester 3.0.0 through 7.2.3 may allow an authenticated attacker to execute unauthorized commands via specifically crafted arguments to existing commands.",
"id": "GHSA-gvfj-rx7h-mj8m",
"modified": "2024-04-04T07:39:17Z",
"published": "2023-09-13T15:31:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36642"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-501"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-GVHM-XPQG-38JW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-08-06 21:30 – Updated: 2024-08-07 00:30An issue in Koha ILS 23.05 and before allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the format parameter.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-28739"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-79"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-08-06T19:15:56Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An issue in Koha ILS 23.05 and before allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the format parameter.",
"id": "GHSA-gvhm-xpqg-38jw",
"modified": "2024-08-07T00:30:47Z",
"published": "2024-08-06T21:30:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28739"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://febin0x4e4a.wordpress.com/2024/03/07/xss-to-one-click-rce-in-koha-ils"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/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.