CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'
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.
View on MITRETechnical Details
- Structure
- Simple
Applicable To
Security Consequences
Scope
Impact
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Scope
Impact
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Scope
Impact
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Scope
Impact
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the software from working at all and in the case of a protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lockout every user of the software.
Mitigation Strategies
No mitigation information available for this CWE.
Detection Methods
No detection method information available for this CWE.
Code Examples & CVEs
Observed CVE Examples (7)
Remote attackers can read arbitrary files by specifying the drive letter in the requested URL.
View DetailsFTP server allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories by using the "ls" command and including the drive letter name (e.g. C:) in the requested pathname.
View DetailsFTP server allows a remote attacker to retrieve privileged system information by specifying arbitrary paths.
View DetailsFTP server allows remote attackers to list the contents of arbitrary drives via a ls command that includes the drive letter as an argument.
View DetailsServer allows remote attackers to browse arbitrary directories via a full pathname in the arguments to certain dynamic pages.
View DetailsRemote attackers can read arbitrary files via an HTTP request whose argument is a filename of the form "C:" (Drive letter), "//absolute/path", or ".." .
View DetailsCWE Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'?+
CWE-39: Path Traversal: 'C:dirname' is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. 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.
What are the security consequences of Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'?+
If exploited, CWE-39 (Path Traversal: 'C:dirname') it can compromise Integrity, Confidentiality and Availability, leading to outcomes such as Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands, Modify Files or Directories, Read Files or Directories and DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart.
Which programming languages are affected by Path Traversal: 'C:dirname'?+
CWE-39 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: 'C:dirname'?+
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-39, including CVE-2001-0038, CVE-2001-0255, CVE-2001-0687, CVE-2001-0933 and CVE-2002-0466. 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-39 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.