Weakness (CWE)
CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path
The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
How to prevent it (8 mitigations)
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Architecture and Design
When the set of filenames is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames, 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 provide this capability.
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Architecture and Design, Operation
Run your code in a "jail" or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict all access to files within a particular directory.
Examples include the Unix chroot jail and AppArmor. In general, managed code may provide some protection.
This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of your application may still be subject to compromise.
Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
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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
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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Implementation
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).
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Installation, Operation
Use OS-level permissions and run as a low-privileged user to limit the scope of any successful attack.
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Operation, Implementation
If you are using PHP, configure your application so that it does not use register_globals. During implementation, develop your application so that it does not rely on this feature, but be wary of implementing a register_globals emulation that is subject to weaknesses such as CWE-95, CWE-621, and similar issues.
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Testing
Use tools and techniques that require manual (human) analysis, such as penetration testing, threat modeling, and interactive tools that allow the tester to record and modify an active session. These may be more effective than strictly automated techniques. This is especially the case with weaknesses that are related to design and business rules.
Source: MITRE CWE-73
128 results · Clear filters · Feed
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Critical 9.6
Somatic Framework <= 1.8.14 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion
The Somatic Framework WordPress plugin through 1.8.14 does not perform an authorization check or validate a user-supplied file path before deleting it, allowing any authenticated user, such as a subscriber, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can l…
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Critical 9.6
Pay With a Tweet <= 1.0.5 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion via Button Download Path
The Pay with a tweet WordPress plugin through 1.0.5 does not validate a file path before deleting it, nor does it restrict access to the relevant administration screens, allowing users with a role as low as Subscriber to delete arbitrary files on the server, …
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Critical 9.1
OpenEMR before 8.3.0 Arbitrary File Read/Write via oe-module-faxsms disposeDocument
OpenEMR before 8.3.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the RingCentral RCFaxClient disposeDocument() method of oe-module-faxsms that allows authenticated attackers to read and write arbitrary files via the file_path parameter. Attackers can use actio…
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Critical 9.6
Tournamatch < 4.7.1 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion
The Tournamatch WordPress plugin before 4.7.1 does not validate or restrict the path of a previously stored profile or team image before deleting it when a new image is uploaded, allowing users with a role as low as Subscriber to delete arbitrary files on the…
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Critical 9.9
LXD has arbitrary file read+write on host via rootfs/ symlink in malicious image
Reported from https://github.com/lxc/incus/security/advisories/GHSA-2q3f-q5pq-g8wv ### Summary A specially crafted image can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. ### Details Incus valida…
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Critical 9.9
LXD has arbitrary file read+write on host via templates/ symlink in malicious image
Reported from https://github.com/lxc/incus/security/advisories/GHSA-vxp5-584q-c479 ### Summary A specially crafted image can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. ### Details For containe…
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Critical 9.9
LXD has arbitrary file write on host via `exec-output` symlink in crafted image
Reported from https://github.com/lxc/incus/security/advisories/GHSA-48q5-w887-33wv ### Summary The `record-output` parameter of the `/instances/$name/exec` endpoint stores the output of the command in the `exec-output` directory of the instance. If `exec-outp…
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Critical 9.2
Forged LFT metadata permits arbitrary file read and deletion
SEPPmail Secure Email Gateway before 15.1.1 trusts a file path supplied in externally provided Large File Transfer attachment metadata. An unauthenticated remote sender can cause the mail-processing worker to disclose, move, or delete an accessible regular fi…
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Critical 9.8
Quest Foglight for Databases writeTopologySectionToFile External Control of File Path Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Quest Foglight for Databases writeTopologySectionToFile External Control of File Path Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Quest Foglight for Databases. Authenti…
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Critical 10.0
SOCFortress CoPilot: Arbitrary Host File Write as Root via Path Traversal in the ScoutSuite GCP Report Upload (RCE)
SOCFortress CoPilot focuses on providing a single pane of glass for all your security operations needs. Prior to 0.1.77, `POST /api/scoutsuite/generate-gcp-report` in `backend/app/integrations/scoutsuite/routes/scoutsuite.py` admits admin and analyst users an…
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Critical 9.9
Arbitrary file read and backend crash through unrestricted provider method calls
Postiz lets a signed-in user ask the backend to run a function on one of their connected channels. The backend did not restrict which functions can be requested, so a user could call internal helper functions that were never meant to be reachable from the web…
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Critical 9.8
Path traversal via HTTP `Content-Disposition` header in ExternalFilesDownloader enables remote code execution in Goobi viewer
The Goobi viewer is a web application that allows digitised material to be displayed in a web browser. From version 24.03 to before version 26.05, ExternalFilesDownloader.getFilename() extracts the destination filename from a server-supplied Content-Dispositi…
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Critical 9.9
EnergizeLab Station Middleware Authenticated Path Traversal Arbitrary File Read
EnergizeLab station-middleware (NestJS) Docker images 1.6.5 through 1.8.2 allow any registered, low-privilege account to read arbitrary files from the server by supplying an attacker-controlled file path. This exposes middleware files and server secrets.
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Critical 9.9CVE-2026-57155 Public exploit
OPNsense: Root RCE via Arbitrary File Write in GeoIP Alias Importer
OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. Prior to version 26.1.11, the Firewall Alias GeoIP importer's process_zip() and process_gzip() paths in src/opnsense/scripts/filter/lib/alias/geoip.py use an unvalidated CSV country_code value to cons…
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Critical 10.0
File Upload to Order < 1.1.4 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion
The File Upload to Order WordPress plugin before 1.1.4 does not validate or confine a file path taken from attacker-controlled session data before deleting the file, and the action that performs the deletion is reachable by unauthenticated users, allowing the…
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Critical 9.9
An External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability in Ivanti Xtraction before version 2026.4 allows a remote authen…
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Critical 9.3
Metabase: Arbitrary File Read/Write via Unsafe H2 Built-in Functions
Metabase is an open source business intelligence and analytics platform. From 1.55.0 until 1.58.16, 1.59.13, 1.60.9, and 1.61.4, native queries and actions against an H2 data source are passed through without restricting host-facing built-in functions. A user…
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Critical 9.0
n8n before 1.123.80, 2.39.6, and 2.40.1 Path Traversal and Query Injection via Supabase
n8n versions before 1.123.80, from 2.0.0 before 2.39.6, and from 2.40.0 before 2.40.1 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the Supabase node where the tableId parameter is inserted into request paths without validation. Attackers can exploit workflows bi…
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Critical 10.0
BackupSheep <= 1.8 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion and Backup Exfiltration via Empty Integration Key
The BackupSheep WordPress Backup Plugin WordPress plugin through 1.8 does not properly validate its integration key, treating an unset or blank key as valid, which allows unauthenticated attackers to create and download full site backups, including the databa…
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Critical 9.3CVE-2026-85520 Public exploit
Unauthenticated arbitrary file write leading to RCE in gmfeed PrestaShop module
Google Merchant Center Feed (gmfeed) module for PrestaShop is vulnerable to unauthenticated arbitrary file write in the feed.php endpoint. An unauthenticated attacker can send a crafted request that controls the output file name, path, extension, and content …
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Critical 9.3
Vector: Arbitrary file write in the file sink via templated path (path traversal).
Vector is a high-performance observability data pipeline. From 0.10.0 until 0.57.0, the file sink renders its templated path from event fields and opens the result without confining it to an intended directory. When an untrusted source supplies an event field…
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Critical 9.8CVE-2026-90817 Public exploit
An unauthenticated Remote Code Execution vulnerability was found in the survey passthrough routing and Data Import proc…
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Critical 9.1
Anyquery: Arbitrary File Write (AFW) which could lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via Unrestricted ATTACH DATABASE in Server Mode
Anyquery is an SQL query engine built on top of SQLite. Prior to 0.4.5, anyquery server forwards unauthenticated SQL from its MySQL-compatible server port to SQLite without restricting ATTACH DATABASE filesystem targets. A remote attacker can select any path …
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Critical 9.9
DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data has several vulnerabilities due to open source software
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 IBM DataStage could allow a remote authenticated attacker to perform an arbitrary file write due to improper validation of file paths.
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Critical 9.6
Code Monkeys Proposals <= 1.0.1 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion via Path Traversal
The CODE MONKEYS PROPOSALS WordPress plugin through 1.0.1 does not validate a user-supplied file path before deleting a file, and does not check the capability of the user making the request, allowing any authenticated user, such as a subscriber, to delete ar…
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Critical 9.6
WebTotem Backups < 1.1.0 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion via Path Traversal
The WebTotem Backups WordPress plugin before 1.1.0 does not validate a user-supplied file path, does not check the capability of the user making the request, and discards the result of its own CSRF check, allowing any authenticated user, such as a subscriber,…
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Critical 9.8CVE-2026-88899 Public exploit
knowns before 0.31.0 External Control of Agent Working Directory via x-opencode-directory Header
knowns versions before 0.31.0 fail to properly validate the x-opencode-directory request header in the /api/opencode proxy endpoint. Remote attackers can supply arbitrary directory paths to execute file operations outside the project root on the host system.
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Critical 9.0
ntp: write path traversal
OPNsense is a FreeBSD based firewall and routing platform. Prior to version 26.1.9 of opnsense/core and version 26.4_20 of BE/opnsense/core, a path traversal vulnerability in the NTP configuration module allows an attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the …
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Critical 9.8
Skype for Business Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Skype for Business allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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Critical 9.8
WWBN AVideo Unauthenticated Path Traversal via notify.ffmpeg.json.php
WWBN AVideo contains a path traversal vulnerability in notify.ffmpeg.json.php that allows unauthenticated attackers to write files to arbitrary locations by supplying a caller-chosen path in the avideoRelativePath parameter. Attackers can replay any previousl…
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Critical 9.1
marker through 2.0.0 Path Traversal via upload filename
marker through 2.0.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the FastAPI /marker/upload handler that fails to sanitize the file.filename parameter. Unauthenticated attackers can supply filenames containing directory traversal sequences to write arbitrary f…
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Critical 9.6
Workeera Remote Tech Job Board < 1.0.6 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary File Deletion via Candidate Profile Mass Assignment
The Workeera WordPress plugin before 1.0.6 does not restrict which values may be written to a user's own candidate profile, and does not validate or contain the stored file path before deleting it, allowing users with a role as low as subscriber to delete arb…
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Critical 9.8
OpenRGB: local and remote system compromise via arbitrary file write using attacker controlled strings
The OpenRGB network protocol allows to write attacker controlled strings into arbitrary file system paths (extension of CVE-2026-59682). This allows either a full system compromise from local or remote (if the daemon is running as root) or a full account take…
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Critical 9.1
Arbitrary file overwrite and deletion local and remote in OpenRGB
Arbitrary file overwrite via SAVE_PROFILE message in OpenRGB. This issue affects OpenRGB through 1.0rc3.
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Critical 9.8CVE-2026-56705 Public exploit
Adminer before 5.4.3 Remote Code Execution via MSSQL PDO DSN Injection
Adminer before 5.4.3 fails to sanitize the server field before constructing a PDO DSN string, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject ODBC parameters via semicolons. Attackers can inject TraceFile and TraceOn parameters to write PHP code to the web root,…
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Critical 9.9
Arbitrary File Read/Write: metadata.yaml symlink in image allows host filesystem access as root
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.3.0, a malicious image containing a `metadata.yaml` symlink pointing to an arbitrary host path allows an authenticated Incus user to read or overwrite any file on the host as root via…
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Critical 9.9
Incus has an arbitrary file write via path traversal in S3 multipart upload
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.1.0, the S3 protocol upload endpoint is vulnerable to path traversal and allows creation of arbitrary files on the host. This behavior could lead to arbitrary command execution. Versi…
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Critical 9.9
Incus has arbitrary file read+write on host via templates/ symlink in malicious image
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, a specially crafted image or instance backup can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. Version 7.2.0 patch…
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Critical 9.9
Incus has an arbitrary file write on host via `exec-output` symlink in crafted image
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, the `record-output` parameter of the `/instances/$name/exec` endpoint stores the output of the command in the `exec-output` directory of the instance. If `exec-output` is a symli…
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Critical 9.9
Incus has an arbitrary file read+write on host via rootfs/ symlink in malicious image
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, a specially crafted image can be used to read or create/write arbitrary files on the host; possibly leading to arbitrary command execution. Version 7.2.0 fixes the issue.