CWE-59
AllowedImproper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
2312 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-WC57-W9RC-P4G6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-28 00:32 – Updated: 2025-11-03 21:32This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3. A malicious app may be able to create symlinks to protected regions of the disk.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-24136"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-27T22:15:18Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in macOS Ventura 13.7.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, macOS Sonoma 14.7.3. A malicious app may be able to create symlinks to protected regions of the disk.",
"id": "GHSA-wc57-w9rc-p4g6",
"modified": "2025-11-03T21:32:27Z",
"published": "2025-01-28T00:32:14Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-24136"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/122068"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/122069"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/122070"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/15"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/16"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2025/Jan/17"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WC62-H53H-G8QF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:47 – Updated: 2024-04-04 00:54libqb before 1.0.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack, because it uses predictable filenames (under /dev/shm and /tmp) without O_EXCL.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-12779"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-06-07T20:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "libqb before 1.0.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack, because it uses predictable filenames (under /dev/shm and /tmp) without O_EXCL.",
"id": "GHSA-wc62-h53h-g8qf",
"modified": "2024-04-04T00:54:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:47:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-12779"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ClusterLabs/libqb/issues/338"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3610"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1695948"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ClusterLabs/libqb/releases/tag/v1.0.4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ClusterLabs/libqb/releases/tag/v1.0.5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-03"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00017.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-07/msg00027.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00031.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108691"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WC8X-F5RV-3653
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-27 00:00 – Updated: 2025-11-04 00:30The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of files. By exploiting these combination of primitives, an attacker can execute arbitrary code.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-22995"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-03-25T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The combination of primitives offered by SMB and AFP in their default configuration allows the arbitrary writing of files. By exploiting these combination of primitives, an attacker can execute arbitrary code.",
"id": "GHSA-wc8x-f5rv-3653",
"modified": "2025-11-04T00:30:31Z",
"published": "2022-03-27T00:00:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-22995"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/01/msg00000.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/11/msg00026.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/55ROUJI22SHZX5EM23QAILZHI67EZQKW"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/T5CZZLFOTUP3QYHGHSDUNENGSLPJ6KGO"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XO34FWOIJI6V6PH2XY52WNBBARVWPJG2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/55ROUJI22SHZX5EM23QAILZHI67EZQKW"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/T5CZZLFOTUP3QYHGHSDUNENGSLPJ6KGO"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/XO34FWOIJI6V6PH2XY52WNBBARVWPJG2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-02"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.westerndigital.com/support/product-security/wdc-22005-netatalk-security-vulnerabilities"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WC94-2WCF-JWVR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-25 00:01 – Updated: 2022-03-04 00:00A security link following local privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Trend Micro Apex One as a Service, Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1 and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services agents could allow a local attacker to create an writable folder in an arbitrary location and escalate privileges affected installations. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-24679"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-24T03:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A security link following local privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Trend Micro Apex One as a Service, Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1 and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services agents could allow a local attacker to create an writable folder in an arbitrary location and escalate privileges affected installations. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-wc94-2wcf-jwvr",
"modified": "2022-03-04T00:00:35Z",
"published": "2022-02-25T00:01:09Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24679"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000290464"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000290486"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-370"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WCV5-982F-XGGC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-19 18:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 07:44A Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') vulnerability in SUSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5 postfix, SUSE SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5 postfix, SUSE openSUSE Leap 15.5 postfix.This issue affects SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5: before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1; SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5: before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1; openSUSE Leap 15.5 : before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-32182"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-19T16:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u0027) vulnerability in SUSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5 postfix, SUSE SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5 postfix, SUSE openSUSE Leap 15.5 postfix.This issue affects SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5: before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1; SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5: before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1; openSUSE Leap 15.5 : before 3.7.3-150500.3.5.1.\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-wcv5-982f-xggc",
"modified": "2024-04-04T07:44:12Z",
"published": "2023-09-19T18:30:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32182"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2023-32182"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WF5R-CXJR-47W7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-02 00:00 – Updated: 2022-05-02 00:00rc.sysinit in initscripts before 8.76.3-1 on Fedora 9 and other Linux platforms allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a file or directory under (1) /var/lock or (2) /var/run.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-3524"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-09-29T17:17:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "rc.sysinit in initscripts before 8.76.3-1 on Fedora 9 and other Linux platforms allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a file or directory under (1) /var/lock or (2) /var/run.",
"id": "GHSA-wf5r-cxjr-47w7",
"modified": "2022-05-02T00:00:56Z",
"published": "2022-05-02T00:00:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3524"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=458504"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=458652"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/45402"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2857"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-September/msg01135.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32037"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32710"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0318"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31385"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WF73-PXPQ-869J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:40 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:40sylprint.pl in claws mail tools (claws-mail-tools) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the sylprint.[USER].[PID] temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-6208"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-12-04T00:46:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "sylprint.pl in claws mail tools (claws-mail-tools) allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the sylprint.[USER].[PID] temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-wf73-pxpq-869j",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:40:42Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:40:42Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-6208"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=454089"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/42478"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/27897"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/28402"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200801-03.xml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/26676"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WF7J-R93F-5CVM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-01 03:31 – Updated: 2026-09-01 03:31A vulnerability in the Backblaze Client allows a local user to make the system not bootable by creating a link from Backblaze's folder to Windows OS system files during a backup. Successful exploitation requires an administrator-level system change that results in the absence of specific Windows OS security controls. This vulnerability is due to improper link resolution.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-19820"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-01T01:16:33Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the Backblaze Client allows a local user to make the system not bootable by creating a link from Backblaze\u0027s folder to Windows OS system files during a backup. Successful exploitation requires an administrator-level system change that results in the absence of specific Windows OS security controls. This vulnerability is due to improper link resolution.",
"id": "GHSA-wf7j-r93f-5cvm",
"modified": "2026-09-01T03:31:03Z",
"published": "2026-09-01T03:31:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-19820"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.backblaze.com/computer-backup/docs/backup-client-release-notes-windows"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.backblaze.com/status/update"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:L/SA:L/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-WFRC-R682-56QV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:38 – Updated: 2022-11-07 19:00The sudoedit personality of Sudo before 1.9.5 may allow a local unprivileged user to perform arbitrary directory-existence tests by winning a sudo_edit.c race condition in replacing a user-controlled directory by a symlink to an arbitrary path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-23239"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-01-12T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "The sudoedit personality of Sudo before 1.9.5 may allow a local unprivileged user to perform arbitrary directory-existence tests by winning a sudo_edit.c race condition in replacing a user-controlled directory by a symlink to an arbitrary path.",
"id": "GHSA-wfrc-r682-56qv",
"modified": "2022-11-07T19:00:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:38:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23239"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2021-23239"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00007.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EE42Y35SMJOLONAIBNYNFC7J44UUZ2Y6"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GMY4VSSBIND7VAYSN6T7XIWJRWG4GBB3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-33"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210129-0010"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sudo.ws/stable.html#1.9.5"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WFVX-WR33-M97W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:11 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:34The postinst script in the tomcat6 package before 6.0.45+dfsg-1~deb7u4 on Debian wheezy, before 6.0.35-1ubuntu3.9 on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS; the tomcat7 package before 7.0.28-4+deb7u8 on Debian wheezy, before 7.0.56-3+deb8u6 on Debian jessie, before 7.0.52-1ubuntu0.8 on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, and on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 16.04 LTS, and 16.10; and the tomcat8 package before 8.0.14-1+deb8u5 on Debian jessie, before 8.0.32-1ubuntu1.3 on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, before 8.0.37-1ubuntu0.1 on Ubuntu 16.10, and before 8.0.38-2ubuntu1 on Ubuntu 17.04 might allow local users with access to the tomcat account to obtain sensitive information or gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the Catalina localhost directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-9774"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-03-23T16:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The postinst script in the tomcat6 package before 6.0.45+dfsg-1~deb7u4 on Debian wheezy, before 6.0.35-1ubuntu3.9 on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS; the tomcat7 package before 7.0.28-4+deb7u8 on Debian wheezy, before 7.0.56-3+deb8u6 on Debian jessie, before 7.0.52-1ubuntu0.8 on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, and on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 16.04 LTS, and 16.10; and the tomcat8 package before 8.0.14-1+deb8u5 on Debian jessie, before 8.0.32-1ubuntu1.3 on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, before 8.0.37-1ubuntu0.1 on Ubuntu 16.10, and before 8.0.38-2ubuntu1 on Ubuntu 17.04 might allow local users with access to the tomcat account to obtain sensitive information or gain root privileges via a symlink attack on the Catalina localhost directory.",
"id": "GHSA-wfvx-wr33-m97w",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:34:38Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:11:16Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-9774"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=845393"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20180731-0002"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3738"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3739"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/02/10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/02/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94643"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3177-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3177-2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack
An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.
CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.
CAPEC-76: Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls
An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.