The product accepts path input in the form of internal space ('file(SPACE)name') without appropriate validation, which can lead to ambiguous path resolution and allow an attacker to traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files.
View on MITRENo mitigation information available for this CWE.
No detection method information available for this CWE.
"+" characters in query string converted to spaces before sensitive file/extension (internal space), leading to bypass of access restrictions to the file.
View DetailsCWE-48: Path Equivalence: 'file name' (Internal Whitespace) is a Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) entry maintained by MITRE. The product accepts path input in the form of internal space ('file(SPACE)name') without appropriate validation, which can lead to ambiguous path resolution and allow an attacker to traverse the file system to unintended locations or access arbitrary files.
If exploited, CWE-48 (Path Equivalence: 'file name' (Internal Whitespace)) it can compromise Confidentiality and Integrity, leading to outcomes such as Read Files or Directories and Modify Files or Directories.
CWE-48 commonly affects Not Language-Specific. Note that weaknesses are often language-agnostic patterns, so secure coding practices apply broadly.
MITRE documents real CVEs mapped to CWE-48, including CVE-2001-1567. You can look up the full details of each CVE, including CVSS scores and remediation guidance, on our CVE Lookup tool.
A CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) like CWE-48 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.