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)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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).
-
Installation, Operation
Use OS-level permissions and run as a low-privileged user to limit the scope of any successful attack.
-
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.
-
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
828 results · Feed
-
Medium 5.9CVE-2025-4602 Public exploit
eMagicOne Store Manager for WooCommerce <= 1.2.5 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read
The eMagicOne Store Manager for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Reads in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.5 via the get_file() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitr…
-
Medium 6.5
Predictable Filename
Predictable filename vulnerabilities in ASPECT may expose sensitive information to a potential attacker if administrator credentials become compromisedThis issue affects ASPECT-Enterprise: through 3.*; NEXUS Series: through 3.*; MATRIX Series: through 3.*.
-
Critical 9.1
Admin Authorized System File corruption
File corruption vulnerabilities in ASPECT provide attackers access to overwrite sys-tem files if session administrator credentials become compromised This issue affects ASPECT-Enterprise: through 3.08.03; NEXUS Series: through 3.08.03; MATRIX Series: through …
-
High 8.1
WPBot Pro Wordpress Chatbot <= 13.6.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion
The WPBot Pro Wordpress Chatbot plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the qcld_openai_delete_training_file() function in all versions up to, and including, 13.6.2. This makes it possible for …
-
High 8.0
.NET, Visual Studio, and Build Tools for Visual Studio Spoofing Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in .NET, Visual Studio, and Build Tools for Visual Studio allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
-
Medium 6.7
Microsoft Defender Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
-
High 7.5CVE-2025-3419 Public exploit
Event Manager, Events Calendar, Tickets, Registrations – Eventin <= 4.0.26 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read
The Event Manager, Events Calendar, Tickets, Registrations – Eventin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file read in all versions up to, and including, 4.0.26 via the proxy_image() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to…
-
High 7.1
Apache Parquet Java: Potential malicious code execution from trusted packages in the parquet-avro module when reading an Avro schema from a Parquet file metadata
Schema parsing in the parquet-avro module of Apache Parquet 1.15.0 and previous versions allows bad actors to execute arbitrary code. While 1.15.1 introduced a fix to restrict untrusted packages, the default setting of trusted packages still allows malicious …
-
Medium 6.1
Gee-netics, member of AXIS Camera Station Pro Bug Bounty Program, has identified an issue with a specific file that the…
-
Critical 9.8
LabVantage before LV 8.8.0.13 HF6 allows local file inclusion. Authenticated users can retrieve arbitrary files from th…
-
High 8.8CVE-2024-57394 Public exploit
The quarantine - restore function in Qi-ANXIN Tianqing Endpoint Security Management System v10.0 allows user to restore…
-
High 7.5
CLEVER - HTML5 Radio Player With History - Shoutcast and Icecast - Elementor Widget Addon <= 2.4 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read
The CLEVER - HTML5 Radio Player With History - Shoutcast and Icecast - Elementor Widget Addon plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file read due to insufficient file path validation in the 'history.php' file in all versions up to, and including, 2.…
-
Critical 9.8
Wallos <=2.38.2 has a file upload vulnerability in the restore database function, which allows unauthenticated users to…
-
Critical 9.8
Wallos <= 2.38.2 has a file upload vulnerability in the restore backup function, which allows authenticated users to re…
-
Critical 9.8
SourceCodester Company Website CMS 1.0 has a File upload vulnerability via the "Create portfolio" file /dashboard/portf…
-
Critical 9.8
SourceCodester Company Website CMS 1.0 contains a file upload vulnerability via the "Create Services" file /dashboard/S…
-
Low 2.1
PAN-OS: Authenticated File Deletion Vulnerability on the Management Web Interface
An authenticated file deletion vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS® software enables an authenticated attacker with network access to the management web interface to delete certain files as the “nobody” user; this includes limited logs and configur…
-
Medium 6.2
Windows Admin Center in Azure Portal Information Disclosure Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Azure Portal Windows Admin Center allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information locally.
-
High 7.5
ZoomSounds - WordPress Wave Audio Player with Playlist <= 6.91 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Download
The ZoomSounds - WordPress Wave Audio Player with Playlist plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 6.91 via the 'dzsap_download' action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the c…
-
Critical 9.1
Simple WP Events <= 1.8.17 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion
The Simple WP Events plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the wpe_delete_file AJAX action in all versions up to, and including, 1.8.17. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers t…
-
High 7.7
Opening local .url files could lead to another file being opened
After selecting a malicious Windows `.url` shortcut from the local filesystem, an unexpected file could be uploaded. *This bug only affects Firefox on Windows. Other operating systems are unaffected.*. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 137 and Thunderbi…
-
Medium 6.3
Legrand SMS PowerView file inclusion
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Legrand SMS PowerView 1.x. Affected is an unknown function. The manipulation of the argument redirect leads to file inclusion. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been d…
-
Low 2.7
Product Import Export for WooCommerce <= 2.5.0 - Directory Traversal to Authenticated (Administrator+) Limited Arbitrary File Deletion via admin_log_page Function
The Product Import Export for WooCommerce – Import Export Product CSV Suite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the admin_log_page() function in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.0. Th…
-
High 8.2
GLPI Inventory plugin has Improper Access Control Vulnerability
The GLPI Inventory Plugin handles various types of tasks for GLPI agents, including network discovery and inventory (SNMP), software deployment, VMWare ESX host remote inventory, and data collection (files, Windows registry, WMI). Versions prior to 1.5.0 have…
-
High 8.4
Path traversal in APROL Web Portal
An External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability in the APROL Web Portal used in B&R APROL <4.4-005P may allow an authenticated network-based attacker to access data from the file system.
-
Low 2.7
Export and Import Users and Customers <= 2.6.2 - Directory Traversal to Authenticated (Administrator+) Limited Arbitrary File Deletion via admin_log_page Function
The Export and Import Users and Customers plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the admin_log_page() function in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.2. This makes it possible for authentic…
-
Low 2.7
Order Export & Order Import for WooCommerce <= 2.6.0 - Directory Traversal to Authenticated (Administrator+) Limited Arbitrary File Deletion via admin_log_page Function
The Order Export & Order Import for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the admin_log_page() function in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.0. This makes it possible for aut…
-
High 7.5
Directory Traversal in modelscope/agentscope
A directory traversal vulnerability exists in modelscope/agentscope version 0.0.4. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to read any local JSON file by sending a crafted POST request to the /read-examples endpoint.
-
Critical 9.1
Arbitrary File Write in eosphoros-ai/db-gpt
eosphoros-ai/db-gpt version 0.6.0 contains a vulnerability in the RAG-knowledge endpoint that allows for arbitrary file write. The issue arises from the ability to pass an absolute path to a call to `os.path.join`, enabling an attacker to write files to arbit…
-
Critical 9.1
Arbitrary File Overwrite through tarfile-extraction in aimhubio/aim
A vulnerability in aimhubio/aim version 3.19.3 allows an attacker to exploit the `tarfile.extractall()` function to extract the contents of a maliciously crafted tarfile to arbitrary locations on the host server. The attacker can control `repo.path` and `run_…
-
High 8.2
Arbitrary File Overwrite in h2oai/h2o-3
In h2oai/h2o-3 version 3.46.0, the `/99/Models/{name}/json` endpoint allows for arbitrary file overwrite on the target server. The vulnerability arises from the `exportModelDetails` function in `ModelsHandler.java`, where the user-controllable `mexport.dir` p…
-
Critical 9.1
Arbitrary File Upload with Path Traversal in eosphoros-ai/db-gpt
In eosphoros-ai/db-gpt version v0.6.0, the web API `POST /v1/personal/agent/upload` is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Upload with Path Traversal. This vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to upload arbitrary files to the victim's file system at any locat…
-
Critical 9.1CVE-2024-11042 Public exploit
Arbitrary File Delete in invoke-ai/invokeai
In invoke-ai/invokeai version v5.0.2, the web API `POST /api/v1/images/delete` is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Deletion. This vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to delete arbitrary files on the server, potentially including critical or sensitive syst…
-
High 8.2
Arbitrary File Deletion in eosphoros-ai/DB-GPT
eosphoros-ai/DB-GPT version latest is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion on Windows systems via the '/v1/agent/hub/update' endpoint. The application fails to properly filter the '\' character, which is commonly used as a separator in Windows paths. This vu…
-
Medium 6.9
imFAQ allows local file inclusion in seo.php
imFAQ is an advanced questions and answers management system for ImpressCMS. Prior to 1.0.1, if the $_GET['seoOp'] parameter is manipulated to include malicious input (e.g., seoOp=php://filter/read=convert.base64-encode/resource=/var/www/html/config.php), the…
-
High 7.8
An external control of file name or path vulnerability [CWE-73] in FortiClientMac version 7.2.3 and below, version 7.0.…
-
Medium 6.5
NTLM Hash Disclosure Spoofing Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
KEV Apr 17, 2025 -
Medium 6.5
NTLM Hash Disclosure Spoofing Vulnerability
External control of file name or path in Windows NTLM allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.
-
High 7.5
CS Framework <= 7.1 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Read
The CS Framework plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 6.9 via the get_widget_settings_json() function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to re…
-
High 7.5
Local file inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in ArcGIS Server
There is a local file inclusion vulnerability in ArcGIS Server 11.3 and below that may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to craft a URL that could potentially disclose sensitive configuration information by reading internal files from the remote server…