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
825 results · Feed
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High 8.1
Motors – Car Dealer, Classifieds & Listing <= 1.4.107 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion via 'stm_dealer_logo_path' Parameter
The Motors – Car Dealership & Classified Listings Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.107. This is due to insufficient file path validation in the become-dealer logo upload flow. The p…
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Medium 5.0
WildFire WF-500 and WF-500-B: Arbitrary File Read and Delete Vulnerability in WildFire Appliance (WF-500, WF-500-B)
An arbitrary File Read and Delete Vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks WildFire® WF-500 and WF-500-B appliances enables users to read sensitive information and delete arbitrary files. This vulnerability affects WF-500 and WF-500-B appliances running in the def…
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High 7.8
External Control of File Name or Path in the Zoom Workplace VDI Plugin Windows Universal Installer before version 6.6.1…
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High 8.8
SQL Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network.
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High 7.4
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Information Disclosure Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network.
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High 7.8
Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Access of resource using incompatible type ('type confusion') in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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Medium 4.3
Microsoft Word Information Disclosure Vulnerability
Files or directories accessible to external parties in Microsoft Office Word allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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High 7.8
Azure Monitor Agent Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Azure Monitor Agent allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
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High 7.5
changedetection.io: Arbitrary Local File Read via crafted backup restore
changedetection.io is a free open source web page change detection tool. Prior to 0.55.1, the vulnerability is caused by trusting attacker-controlled snapshot paths restored from backup files. The vulnerable flow starts in the backup restore logic. When a bac…
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High 8.5
JunoClaw: upload_wasm accepted arbitrary filesystem paths without validation
JunoClaw is an agentic AI platform built on Juno Network. Prior to 0.x.y-security-1, the upload_wasm MCP tool accepted a filesystem path from the agent and uploaded whatever bytes the path resolved to, with no validation of location, symlink target, file size…
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Critical 9.6
External control of a file name in Ivanti Xtraction before version 2026.2 allows a remote authenticated attacker to rea…
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Medium 6.7
Tookie: Arbitrary file write via path traversal in -u username / -U userfile output filename
Tookie is a advanced OSINT information gathering tool. Prior to 4.1fix, modules/modules.py's write_txt, write_csv, write_json, and (commented-but-shipping) scan_file helpers open their output as open(f"{user}.<ext>"), where user comes unsanitized from the -u …
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High 7.7
Grav: Anonymous Page Content Overwrite via Form File Upload filename Override
The form plugin for Grav adds the ability to create and use forms. Prior to 9.1.0 , there is an unauthenticated page-content overwrite via file upload (GHSA-w4rc-p66m-x6qq). Public form uploads now strip path components from the POST-supplied filename and har…
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High 8.2
i18next-fs-backend: Path traversal via unsanitised lng/ns allows arbitrary file read/overwrite
i18next-fs-backend is a backend layer for i18next using in Node.js and for Deno to load translations from the filesystem. Prior to version 2.6.4, i18next-fs-backend substitutes the lng and ns options directly into the configured loadPath / addPath templates a…
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High 8.8CVE-2026-44127 EPSS 15%
Local File Inclusion (LFI) and Arbitrary File Deletion
SEPPmail Secure Email Gateway before version 15.0.4 contains an unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability in the identifier parameter of /api.app/attachment/preview that allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files and trigger deletion of files in…
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High 8.8
@evomap/evolver: Path Traversal in `evolver fetch` default-branch `safeId` allows Hub-controlled overwrite of project files (RCE)
## Summary The `evolver fetch` subcommand in `index.js` writes Hub-supplied `bundled_files[]` into a directory derived from a Hub-supplied `skill_id`. When `--out` is not used, the path-sanitizing regex permits `.` characters, allowing a `skill_id` of `..` to…
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Medium 6.5
Totolink N300RH cstecgi.cgi setUploadSetting file inclusion
A vulnerability was identified in Totolink N300RH 6.1c.1353_B20190305. This impacts the function setUploadSetting of the file /cgi-bin/cstecgi.cgi. Such manipulation of the argument FileName leads to file inclusion. The attack may be performed from remote. Th…
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Critical 9.0
Wazuh cluster sync path traversal in decompress_files() enables arbitrary file write and code execution from authenticated cluster peer
Wazuh is a free and open source platform used for threat prevention, detection, and response. From version 4.4.0 to before version 4.14.4, a path traversal vulnerability in Wazuh's cluster synchronization extraction routine allows an authenticated cluster pee…
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Medium 5.7
OpenClaw < 2026.4.8 - Local File Exfiltration via Shared Reply MEDIA Paths
OpenClaw before 2026.4.8 treats shared reply MEDIA paths as trusted, allowing crafted references to trigger cross-channel local file exfiltration. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious shared reply MEDIA references to cause another channel to read …
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Medium 5.5CVE-2026-41177 Public exploit
Squidex has Blind SSRF via file:// Protocol in Restore API leading to Local File Interaction
Squidex is an open source headless content management system and content management hub. Prior to version 7.23.0, the Squidex Restore API is vulnerable to Blind Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). The application fails to validate the URI scheme of the user-s…
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High 7.2
HTTP Headers <= 1.19.2 - Authenticated (Administrator+) External Control of File Name or Path to RCE via 'hh_htpasswd_path' and 'hh_www_authenticate_user' Parameters
The HTTP Headers plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to External Control of File Name or Path leading to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to and including 1.19.2. This is due to insufficient validation of the file path stored in the 'hh_htpasswd_path' …
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Medium 6.5
nbconvert has an Arbitrary File Read via Path Traversal in HTMLExporter Image Embedding
The nbconvert tool, jupyter nbconvert, converts Jupyter notebooks to various other formats via Jinja templates. In versions 6.5 through 7.17.0, when `HTMLExporter.embed_images=True`, nbconvert's markdown renderer allows arbitrary file read via path traversal …
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Medium 6.5
nbconvert has an Arbitrary File Write via Path Traversal in Cell Attachment Filenames
The nbconvert tool, jupyter nbconvert, converts Jupyter notebooks to various other formats via Jinja templates. Versions 6.5 through 7.17.0 allow arbitrary file writes to locations outside the intended output directory when processing notebooks containing cra…
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Medium 5.8
OpenClaw 2026.4.7 < 2026.4.15 - Arbitrary File Read via Unvalidated Tool-Result Media Paths
OpenClaw versions 2026.4.7 before 2026.4.15 fail to enforce local-root containment on tool-result media paths, allowing arbitrary local and UNC file access. Attackers can craft malicious tool-result media references to trigger host-side file reads or Windows …
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High 7.5
SecureDrop Client has path injection in read_gzip_header_filename()
SecureDrop Client is a desktop app for journalists to securely communicate with sources and handle submissions on the SecureDrop Workstation. In versions 0.17.4 and below, a compromised SecureDrop Server can achieve code execution on the Client's virtual mach…
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Critical 10.0
Firebird: Path Traversal + Arbitrary File Write Leads to Remote Code Execution
Firebird is an open-source relational database management system. In versions prior to 5.0.4, 4.0.7 and 3.0.14, the external engine plugin loader concatenates a user-supplied engine name into a filesystem path without filtering path separators or .. component…
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Medium 6.5
Paperclip: Arbitrary File Read via Agent-Controlled adapterConfig.instructionsFilePath
### Summary Paperclip contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability that allows an attacker with an Agent API key to read files from the Paperclip server host filesystem. The vulnerability occurs because agents are allowed to modify their own adapterConfig th…
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High 8.6
Jellyfin: Potential SSRF + Arbitrary file read via LiveTV M3U tuner
Jellyfin is an open source self hosted media server. Versions prior to 10.11.7 contain a vulnerability chain in the LiveTV M3U tuner endpoint (POST /LiveTv/TunerHosts), where the tuner URL is not validated, allowing local file read via non-HTTP paths and Serv…
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High 7.0
Unisys WebPerfect Image Suite 3.0 NTLMv2 Hash Leakage via WCF SOAP
Unisys WebPerfect Image Suite versions 3.0.3960.22810 and 3.0.3960.22604 expose an unauthenticated WCF SOAP endpoint on TCP port 1208 that accepts unsanitized file paths in the ReadLicense action's LFName parameter, allowing remote attackers to trigger SMB co…
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High 7.1
wpForo Forum <= 3.0.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion via 'data[body][fileurl]' Parameter
The wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Deletion in versions up to and including 3.0.2. This is due to a two-step logic flaw: the topic_add() and topic_edit() action handlers accept arbitrary user-supplied data[*] arrays from $_R…
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High 7.8CVE-2026-5054 Public exploit
NoMachine External Control of File Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
NoMachine External Control of File Path Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of NoMachine. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code…
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High 7.1CVE-2026-5053 Public exploit
NoMachine External Control of File Path Arbitrary File Deletion Vulnerability
NoMachine External Control of File Path Arbitrary File Deletion Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to delete arbitrary files on affected installations of NoMachine. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code…
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High 8.3
Path Traversal (Arbitrary File Delete) in Chamilo LMS
Chamilo LMS is a learning management system. Prior to 1.11.38, there is a path traversal in main/exercise/savescores.php leading to arbitrary file feletion. User input from $_REQUEST['test'] is concatenated directly into filesystem path without canonicalizati…
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Medium 5.3
Rembg has a Path Traversal via Custom Model Loading
Rembg is a tool to remove images background. Prior to 2.0.75, a path traversal vulnerability in the rembg HTTP server allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files from the server's filesystem. By sending a crafted request with a malicious m…
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High —
Gotenberg has incomplete fix for ExifTool arbitrary file write: case-insensitive bypass and missing HardLink/SymLink tags
## Summary The fix for ExifTool arbitrary file write (commit `043b158`, released in v8.29.0) uses a case-sensitive blocklist to filter dangerous pseudo-tags. ExifTool processes tag names case-insensitively, so alternate casings bypass the filter. The blocklis…
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High 8.8
Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 and JP1/NETM/DM
Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 - Manager on Windows, JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 - Operations Director on Windows, Job Management Partner 1/IT Desktop Management 2 - Manager on Windows, JP1/IT Desktop Management - Manager o…
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Critical 9.1
Chyrp Lite has a Path Traversal to Remote Code Execution
Chyrp Lite is an ultra-lightweight blogging engine. Prior to 2026.01, a path traversal vulnerability exists in the administration console that allows an administrator or a user with Change Settings permission to change the uploads path to any folder. This vul…
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High 8.1
Ferret has a Path Traversal in IO::FS::WRITE allows arbitrary file write when scraping malicious websites
Ferret is a declarative system for working with web data. Prior to 2.0.0-alpha.4, a path traversal vulnerability in Ferret's IO::FS::WRITE standard library function allows a malicious website to write arbitrary files to the filesystem of the machine running F…
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High 8.1
SillyTavern: Path traversal in `/api/chats/import` allows arbitrary file write outside intended chat directory
SillyTavern is a locally installed user interface that allows users to interact with text generation large language models, image generation engines, and text-to-speech voice models. Prior to version 1.17.0, a path traversal vulnerability in /api/chats/import…
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High 8.1
@tinacms/graphql has Path Traversal that leads to overwrite of arbitrary files
Tina is a headless content management system. Prior to version 2.2.2, a path traversal vulnerability in @tinacms/graphql allows unauthenticated users to write and overwrite arbitrary files within the project root. This is achieved by manipulating the relative…