CWE-37: Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here'

VariantDraft

The product accepts input in the form of a slash absolute path ('/absolute/pathname/here') without appropriate validation, which can allow an attacker to traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files.

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Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Not Language-Specific
Platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWE-37: Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here'?+

CWE-37: Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here' is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product accepts input in the form of a slash absolute path ('/absolute/pathname/here') without appropriate validation, which can allow an attacker to traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files.

What are the security consequences of Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here'?+

If exploited, CWE-37 (Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here') it can compromise Confidentiality and Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Read Files or Directories and Modify Files or Directories.

Which programming languages are affected by Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here'?+

CWE-37 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.

What are real-world examples of Path Traversal: '/absolute/pathname/here'?+

MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-37, including CVE-2002-1345, CVE-2001-1269, CVE-2002-1818, CVE-2002-1913 and CVE-2005-2147. You can look up the full details of each CVE, including CVSS scores and remediation guidance, on our CVE Lookup tool.

What is the difference between a CWE and a CVE?+

A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-37 describes a category of software weakness — the underlying flaw type. A CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifies a specific, real-world vulnerability in a particular product. In short, a CWE is the kind of mistake, and a CVE is an instance of that mistake being found in software.

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