82
Strategy = Input Validation
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.
Observed Examples
Reference Description
CVE-1999-1263 Mail client allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via an e-mail
message containing a uuencoded attachment that specifies the full pathname
for the file to be modified.
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-1999-1263
CVE-2003-0753 Remote attackers can read arbitrary files via a full pathname to the target file in
config parameter.
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2003-0753
CVE-2002-1525 Remote attackers can read arbitrary files via an absolute pathname.
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2002-1525
MemberOf Relationships
This MemberOf relationships table shows additional CWE Catgeories and Views that reference this
weakness as a member. This information is often useful in understanding where a weakness fits
within the context of external information sources.
Nature Type ID Name Page
MemberOf 743 CERT C Secure Coding Standard (2008) Chapter 10 -
Input Output (FIO)
734 2347
MemberOf 877 CERT C++ Secure Coding Section 09 - Input Output
(FIO)
868 2377
MemberOf 981 SFP Secondary Cluster: Path Traversal 888 2409
MemberOf 1404 Comprehensive Categorization: File Handling 1400 2529
Taxonomy Mappings
Mapped Taxonomy Name Node ID Fit Mapped Node Name
PLOVER \absolute\pathname\here ('backslash
absolute path')
CERT C Secure Coding FIO05-C Identify files using multiple file attributes
Software Fault Patterns SFP16 Path Traversal
CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'
Weakness ID : 39
Structure : Simple
Abstraction : Variant
Description
The product accepts input that contains a drive letter or Windows volume letter ('C:dirname') that
potentially redirects access to an unintended location or arbitrary file.
Relationships
The table(s) below shows the weaknesses and high level categories that are related to this
weakness. These relationships are defined as ChildOf, ParentOf, MemberOr and give insight to
similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels of abstraction. In addition, relationships such
as PeerOf and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar weaknesses that may want to be explored.
Relevant to the view "Research Concepts" (CWE-1000)
CWE Version 4.14
CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'
CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'