Weakness (CWE)
CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
More detail
Many file operations are intended to take place within a restricted directory. By using special elements such as ".." and "/" separators, attackers can escape outside of the restricted location to access files or directories that are elsewhere on the system. One of the most common special elements is the "../" sequence, which in most modern operating systems is interpreted as the parent directory of the current location. This is referred to as relative path traversal. Path traversal also covers the use of absolute pathnames such as "/usr/local/bin" to access unexpected files. This is referred to as absolute path traversal.
How to prevent it (8 mitigations)
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Implementation
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.
When validating filenames, use stringent allowlists that limit the character set to be used. If feasible, only allow a single "." character in the filename to avoid weaknesses such as CWE-23, and exclude directory separators such as "/" to avoid CWE-36. Use a list of allowable file extensions, which will help to avoid CWE-434.
Do not rely exclusively on a filtering mechanism that removes potentially dangerous characters. This is equivalent to a denylist, which may be incomplete (CWE-184). For example, filtering "/" is insufficient protection if the filesystem also supports the use of "\" as a directory separator. Another possible error could occur when the filtering is applied in a way that still produces dangerous data (CWE-182). For example, if "../" sequences are removed from the ".../...//" string in a sequential fashion, two instances of "../" would be removed from the original string, but the remaining characters would still form the "../" string.
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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.
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Implementation
Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
Use a built-in path canonicalization function (such as realpath() in C) that produces the canonical version of the pathname, which effectively removes ".." sequences and symbolic links (CWE-23, CWE-59). This includes:
- realpath() in C
- getCanonicalPath() in Java
- GetFullPath() in ASP.NET
- realpath() or abs_path() in Perl
- realpath() in PHP
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Architecture and Design
Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
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Operation
Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth [REF-1481].
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Architecture and Design, Operation
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.
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Architecture and Design
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.
For example, ID 1 could map to "inbox.txt" and ID 2 could map to "profile.txt". Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap [REF-185] provide this capability.
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Architecture and Design, Operation
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.
Source: MITRE CWE-22
588 results · Clear filters · Feed
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Medium —CVE-2014-3625 Public exploit
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory in Spring Framework
Directory traversal vulnerability in Pivotal Spring Framework 3.0.4 through 3.2.x before 3.2.12, 4.0.x before 4.0.8, and 4.1.x before 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, related to static resource handling.
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Medium —
Apache MyFaces Vulnerable to Path Traversal
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in MyFaces JavaServer Faces (JSF) in Apache MyFaces Core 2.0.x before 2.0.12 and 2.1.x before 2.1.6 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) ln parameter to faces/javax.faces.res…
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Medium —CVE-2014-3225 Public exploit
Cobbler Path Traversal vulnerability
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the web interface in Cobbler 2.4.x through 2.6.x allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via the Kickstart field in a profile.
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High 7.5
actionpack Path Traversal vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in actionpack/lib/abstract_controller/base.rb in the implicit-render implementation in Ruby on Rails before 3.2.18, 4.0.x before 4.0.5, and 4.1.x before 4.1.1, when certain route globbing configurations are enabled, allows re…
KEV Mar 25, 2022 -
Critical 9.8
InduSoft Web Studio Path Traversal
Directory traversal vulnerability in NTWebServer in InduSoft Web Studio 7.1 before SP2 Patch 4 allows remote attackers to read administrative passwords in APP files, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via unspecified web requests.
KEV Apr 15, 2022 -
High 7.5
GE Proficy HMI/SCADA Path Traversal
Directory traversal vulnerability in gefebt.exe in the WebView CimWeb components in GE Intelligent Platforms Proficy HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY through 8.2 SIM 24, and Proficy Process Systems with CIMPLICITY, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via …
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Medium —
Path Traversal in Eclipse Mojarra
Unspecified vulnerability in the Oracle GlassFish Server component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 2.1.1, 3.0.1, and 3.1.2; the Oracle JDeveloper component in Oracle Fusion Middleware 11.1.2.3.0, 11.1.2.4.0, and 12.1.2.0.0; and the Oracle WebLogic Server componen…
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Medium 4.3
MoinMoin Multiple vulnerable to directory traversal
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the (1) twikidraw (action/twikidraw.py) and (2) anywikidraw (action/anywikidraw.py) actions in MoinMoin before 1.9.6 allow remote authenticated users with write permissions to overwrite arbitrary files via unspe…
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Medium 6.7CVE-2012-5380 Public exploit
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installation functionality in Ruby 1.9.3-p194, when installed in the top-lev…
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Medium —CVE-2010-5099 Public exploit
TYPO3 Path Traversal vulnerability
The fileDenyPattern functionality in the PHP file inclusion protection API in TYPO3 4.2.x before 4.2.16, 4.3.x before 4.3.9, and 4.4.x before 4.4.5 does not properly filter file types, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and a…
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Medium —
Apache Shiro Path Traversal vulnerability
Apache Shiro before 1.1.0, and JSecurity 0.9.x, does not canonicalize URI paths before comparing them to entries in the shiro.ini file, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted request, as demonstrated by the /./accou…
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High 7.5
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the administrator console in Adobe ColdFusion 9.0.1 and earlier allow r…
KEV Mar 25, 2022 -
Medium —CVE-2009-4665 Public exploit
CuteSoft CuteEditor Path Traversal vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in CuteSoft_Client/CuteEditor/Load.ashx in CuteSoft Components Cute Editor for ASP.NET allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Critical 9.8
_functions.php in cpCommerce 1.2.x, possibly including 1.2.9, sends a redirect but does not exit when it is called dire…
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Medium 5.3
Directory traversal in Mort Bay Jetty
Directory traversal vulnerability in the HTTP server in Mort Bay Jetty 5.1.14, 6.x before 6.1.17, and 7.x through 7.0.0.M2 allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via directory traversal sequences in the URI.
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High —
Apache Geronimo Application Server multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the web administration console in Apache Geronimo Application Server 2.1 through 2.1.3 on Windows allow remote attackers to upload files to arbitrary directories via directory traversal sequences in the (1) grou…
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Medium —
Apache Struts directory traversal vulnerability
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Apache Struts 2.0.x before 2.0.12 and 2.1.x before 2.1.3 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ..%252f (encoded dot dot slash) in a URI with a /struts/ path, related to (1) FilterDispatcher in 2.0…
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Medium —
Apache Tomcat Directory Traversal vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.37, 5.5.0 through 5.5.26, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.16, when allowLinking and UTF-8 are enabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via encoded directory traversal sequences in the …
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Medium —
Apache Tomcat Path Traversal Vulnerability
Apache Tomcat 4.1.0 through 4.1.37, 5.5.0 through 5.5.26, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.16, when a RequestDispatcher is used, performs path normalization before removing the query string from the URI, which allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attac…
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Medium —CVE-2008-1301 Public exploit
Alkacon OpenCMS Absolute Path Traversal via pathname in filePath.0 parameter
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in system/workplace/admin/workplace/logfileview/logfileViewSettings.jsp in Alkacon OpenCms 7.0.3 and 7.0.4 allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the filePath.0 parameter.
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Medium —
MoinMoin Directory traversal vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in MoinMoin 1.5.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the MOIN_ID user ID in a cookie for a userform action. NOTE: this issue can be leveraged for PHP code execution via the …
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Low —
Apache Tomcat Path Traversal Vulnerability
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in Apache Tomcat 4.0.0 through 4.0.6, 4.1.0, 5.0.0, 5.5.0 through 5.5.25, and 6.0.0 through 6.0.14, under certain configurations, allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a WebDAV write request that s…
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Critical 9.8
Directory traversal vulnerability in the (1) extract and (2) extractall functions in the tarfile module in Python allow…
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Medium —
Apache Tomcat Directory Traversal
Directory traversal vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server and Tomcat 5.x before 5.5.22 and 6.x before 6.0.10, when using certain proxy modules (mod_proxy, mod_rewrite, mod_jk), allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) sequence with com…
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Medium —CVE-2006-5031 Public exploit
CakePHP directory traversal vulnerability allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files
Directory traversal vulnerability in app/webroot/js/vendors.php in Cake Software Foundation CakePHP before 1.1.8.3544 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter, followed by a filename ending with "%00" and a .js …
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Medium —CVE-2006-2758 Public exploit
Jetty Directory Traversal Vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in jetty 6.0.x (jetty6) beta16 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a %2e%2e%5c (encoded ../) in the URL. NOTE: this might be the same issue as CVE-2005-3747.
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Medium —CVE-2004-1444 Public exploit
Roundup Directory traversal vulnerability
Directory traversal vulnerability in Roundup 0.6.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to view arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in an @@ command in an HTTP GET request.
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Medium —
Jakarta Tomcat Directory Listing vulnerability
Jakarta Tomcat before 3.3.1a, when used with JDK 1.3.1 or earlier, allows remote attackers to list directories even with an index.html or other file present, or obtain unprocessed source code for a JSP file, via a URL containing a null character.