CWE-73β€”External Control of File Name or Path

PUBLISHEDweakness recordHigh
released 2006-07-19 Β· last modified 2025-12-11

Metadata

CWE ID:
CWE-73
Abstraction:
Base
Structure:
Simple
Status:
Draft
Release Date:
2006-07-19
Latest Modification Date:
2025-12-11

Weakness Name

External Control of File Name or Path

Description

The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.

This could allow an attacker to access or modify system files or other files that are critical to the application. Path manipulation errors occur when the following two conditions are met: For example, the program may give the attacker the ability to overwrite the specified file or run with a configuration controlled by the attacker.

Common Consequences

Scope:
Integrity, Confidentiality
Impact:
Read Files or Directories, Modify Files or Directories
Notes:
The application can operate on unexpected files. Confidentiality is violated when the targeted filename is not directly readable by the attacker.
Scope:
Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability
Impact:
Modify Files or Directories, Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Notes:
The application can operate on unexpected files. This may violate integrity if the filename is written to, or if the filename is for a program or other form of executable code.
Scope:
Availability
Impact:
DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart, DoS: Resource Consumption (Other)
Notes:
The application can operate on unexpected files. Availability can be violated if the attacker specifies an unexpected file that the application modifies. Availability can also be affected if the attacker specifies a filename for a large file, or points to a special device or a file that does not have the format that the application expects.

Related Weaknesses

browse all CWEs