Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-287

Discouraged

Improper Authentication

Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft

When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.

5996 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-923H-V2W5-RH8Q

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-02 15:31 – Updated: 2025-05-02 15:31
VLAI
Details

Improper access controls in the web management portal of the Tenda RX2 Pro 16.03.30.14 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to enable 'ate' (a remote system management binary) by sending a /goform/ate web request.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-46630"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-05-01T20:15:38Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Improper access controls in the web management portal of the Tenda RX2 Pro 16.03.30.14 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to enable \u0027ate\u0027 (a remote system management binary) by sending a /goform/ate web request.",
  "id": "GHSA-923h-v2w5-rh8q",
  "modified": "2025-05-02T15:31:45Z",
  "published": "2025-05-02T15:31:45Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-46630"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://blog.uturn.dev/#/writeups/iot-village/tenda-rx2pro/README?id=cve-2025-46630-enable-ate-unauthenticated-through-httpd"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.tendacn.com/us/default.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-924M-4PMX-C67H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2018-07-13 16:01 – Updated: 2024-10-21 21:09
VLAI
Summary
pysaml2 Improper Authentication vulnerability
Details

pysaml2 version 4.4.0 and older accept any password when run with python optimizations enabled. This allows attackers to log in as any user without knowing their password.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "pysaml2"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "4.5.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2017-1000433"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:27:01Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-01-02T23:29:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "pysaml2 version 4.4.0 and older accept any password when run with python optimizations enabled. This allows attackers to log in as any user without knowing their password.",
  "id": "GHSA-924m-4pmx-c67h",
  "modified": "2024-10-21T21:09:04Z",
  "published": "2018-07-13T16:01:17Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-1000433"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/rohe/pysaml2/issues/451"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/IdentityPython/pysaml2/pull/454"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/IdentityPython/pysaml2/commit/6312a41e037954850867f29d329e5007df1424a5"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-924m-4pmx-c67h"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pysaml2/PYSEC-2018-48.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/rohe/pysaml2"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00000.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/02/msg00038.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201801-11"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "pysaml2 Improper Authentication vulnerability"
}

GHSA-925Q-P65G-XVGF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:09 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:09
VLAI
Details

Session fixation vulnerability in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCud95787.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2013-1200"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2013-05-16T03:36:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Session fixation vulnerability in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCud95787.",
  "id": "GHSA-925q-p65g-xvgf",
  "modified": "2022-05-17T05:09:38Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T05:09:38Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-1200"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityNotice/CVE-2013-1200"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-927Q-R643-V6JF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:48 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:48
VLAI
Details

libsecurity in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.4 does not properly perform comparisons to domain-name strings in X.509 certificates, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via a certificate associated with a similar domain name, as demonstrated by use of a www.example.con certificate to spoof www.example.com.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2010-1802"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2010-08-25T20:00:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "libsecurity in Apple Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.4 does not properly perform comparisons to domain-name strings in X.509 certificates, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via a certificate associated with a similar domain name, as demonstrated by use of a www.example.con certificate to spoof www.example.com.",
  "id": "GHSA-927q-r643-v6jf",
  "modified": "2022-05-17T05:48:52Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T05:48:52Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-1802"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Aug/msg00003.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://securitytracker.com/id?1024359"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4312"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-92GJ-CJFC-W72M

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-31 00:00 – Updated: 2022-01-12 00:02
VLAI
Details

Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 does not have sufficient protections for the UART console. A malicious actor with physical access to the device is able to connect to the UART port via a serial connection and execute commands as the root user without authentication.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-23147"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-12-30T22:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 does not have sufficient protections for the UART console. A malicious actor with physical access to the device is able to connect to the UART port via a serial connection and execute commands as the root user without authentication.",
  "id": "GHSA-92gj-cjfc-w72m",
  "modified": "2022-01-12T00:02:06Z",
  "published": "2021-12-31T00:00:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23147"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2021-57"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-92JJ-PMCG-VV48

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-12-26 21:30 – Updated: 2024-01-02 21:30
VLAI
Details

The Quiz Maker WordPress plugin before 6.4.9.5 does not adequately authorize the ays_quiz_author_user_search AJAX action, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to perform a search for users of the system, ultimately leaking user email addresses.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2023-6155"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-12-26T19:15:08Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "The Quiz Maker WordPress plugin before 6.4.9.5 does not adequately authorize the `ays_quiz_author_user_search` AJAX action, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to perform a search for users of the system, ultimately leaking user email addresses.",
  "id": "GHSA-92jj-pmcg-vv48",
  "modified": "2024-01-02T21:30:25Z",
  "published": "2023-12-26T21:30:33Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6155"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/c62be802-e91a-4bcf-990d-8fd8ef7c9a28"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-92M6-46VG-VQRH

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:14 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:14
VLAI
Details

The Location Bandwidth Manager (LBM) Intracluster-communication feature in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 9.x before 9.1(1) does not require authentication from the remote LBM Hub node, which allows remote attackers to conduct cache-poisoning attacks against transaction records, and cause a denial of service (bandwidth-pool consumption and call outage), via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCub28920.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2013-1134"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2013-02-27T21:55:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The Location Bandwidth Manager (LBM) Intracluster-communication feature in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 9.x before 9.1(1) does not require authentication from the remote LBM Hub node, which allows remote attackers to conduct cache-poisoning attacks against transaction records, and cause a denial of service (bandwidth-pool consumption and call outage), via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCub28920.",
  "id": "GHSA-92m6-46vg-vqrh",
  "modified": "2022-05-17T05:14:48Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T05:14:48Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-1134"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20130227-cucm"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-92PH-XM9V-CG3J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:00 – Updated: 2024-05-15 22:41
VLAI
Summary
Magento Broken authentication and session managememt
Details

Insecure authentication and session management vulnerability exists in Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.10, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.3 or 2.3.2-p1. An authenticated user can manipulate session validation setting for a storefront that leads to insecure authentication and session management.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "magento/community-edition"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "2.2"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2.2.10"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Packagist",
        "name": "magento/community-edition"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "2.3"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2.3.2-p2"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-8108"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2024-05-15T22:41:16Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2019-11-05T23:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Insecure authentication and session management vulnerability exists in Magento 2.2 prior to 2.2.10, Magento 2.3 prior to 2.3.3 or 2.3.2-p1. An authenticated user can manipulate session validation setting for a storefront that leads to insecure authentication and session management.",
  "id": "GHSA-92ph-xm9v-cg3j",
  "modified": "2024-05-15T22:41:16Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:00:24Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-8108"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/magento/product-community-edition/CVE-2019-8108.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/magento/magento2"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://magento.com/security/patches/magento-2.3.3-and-2.2.10-security-update"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Magento Broken authentication and session managememt"
}

GHSA-92PJ-CJHQ-XW9C

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:34 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:34
VLAI
Details

IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center 8.1.0.000 through 8.1.10.and 7.1.0.000 through 7.1.11 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by improper authentication of a websocket endpoint. By using known tools to subscribe to the websocket event stream, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 188993.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-4771"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-11-23T17:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center 8.1.0.000 through 8.1.10.and 7.1.0.000 through 7.1.11 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by improper authentication of a websocket endpoint. By using known tools to subscribe to the websocket event stream, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 188993.",
  "id": "GHSA-92pj-cjhq-xw9c",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:34:50Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:34:50Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-4771"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/188993"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6369101"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-92W9-2PQW-RHJJ

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2017-10-24 18:33 – Updated: 2025-01-22 15:09
VLAI
Summary
actionpack Improper Authentication vulnerability
Details

The decode_credentials method in actionpack/lib/action_controller/metal/http_authentication.rb in Ruby on Rails before 3.0.16, 3.1.x before 3.1.7, and 3.2.x before 3.2.7 converts Digest Authentication strings to symbols, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by leveraging access to an application that uses a with_http_digest helper method, as demonstrated by the authenticate_or_request_with_http_digest method.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "RubyGems",
        "name": "actionpack"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "3.0.0.beta"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "3.0.16"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "RubyGems",
        "name": "actionpack"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "3.1.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "3.1.7"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "RubyGems",
        "name": "actionpack"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "3.2.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "3.2.7"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "RubyGems",
        "name": "actionpack"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "2.3.5"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2012-3424"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-16T21:27:14Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2012-08-08T10:26:19Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "The `decode_credentials` method in `actionpack/lib/action_controller/metal/http_authentication.rb` in Ruby on Rails before 3.0.16, 3.1.x before 3.1.7, and 3.2.x before 3.2.7 converts Digest Authentication strings to symbols, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by leveraging access to an application that uses a `with_http_digest` helper method, as demonstrated by the `authenticate_or_request_with_http_digest` method.",
  "id": "GHSA-92w9-2pqw-rhjj",
  "modified": "2025-01-22T15:09:51Z",
  "published": "2017-10-24T18:33:38Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-3424"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/rails/rails/commit/3719bd3e95523c5518507dbe44f260f252930600"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/rails/rails"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-security/msg/244d32f2fa25147d?hl=en\u0026dmode=source\u0026output=gplain"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-08/msg00046.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0154.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://weblog.rubyonrails.org/2012/7/26/ann-rails-3-2-7-has-been-released"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [],
  "summary": "actionpack Improper Authentication vulnerability"
}

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks

Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.

CAPEC-114: Authentication Abuse

An attacker obtains unauthorized access to an application, service or device either through knowledge of the inherent weaknesses of an authentication mechanism, or by exploiting a flaw in the authentication scheme's implementation. In such an attack an authentication mechanism is functioning but a carefully controlled sequence of events causes the mechanism to grant access to the attacker.

CAPEC-115: Authentication Bypass

An attacker gains access to application, service, or device with the privileges of an authorized or privileged user by evading or circumventing an authentication mechanism. The attacker is therefore able to access protected data without authentication ever having taken place.

CAPEC-151: Identity Spoofing

Identity Spoofing refers to the action of assuming (i.e., taking on) the identity of some other entity (human or non-human) and then using that identity to accomplish a goal. An adversary may craft messages that appear to come from a different principle or use stolen / spoofed authentication credentials.

CAPEC-194: Fake the Source of Data

An adversary takes advantage of improper authentication to provide data or services under a falsified identity. The purpose of using the falsified identity may be to prevent traceability of the provided data or to assume the rights granted to another individual. One of the simplest forms of this attack would be the creation of an email message with a modified "From" field in order to appear that the message was sent from someone other than the actual sender. The root of the attack (in this case the email system) fails to properly authenticate the source and this results in the reader incorrectly performing the instructed action. Results of the attack vary depending on the details of the attack, but common results include privilege escalation, obfuscation of other attacks, and data corruption/manipulation.

CAPEC-22: Exploiting Trust in Client

An attack of this type exploits vulnerabilities in client/server communication channel authentication and data integrity. It leverages the implicit trust a server places in the client, or more importantly, that which the server believes is the client. An attacker executes this type of attack by communicating directly with the server where the server believes it is communicating only with a valid client. There are numerous variations of this type of attack.

CAPEC-57: Utilizing REST's Trust in the System Resource to Obtain Sensitive Data

This attack utilizes a REST(REpresentational State Transfer)-style applications' trust in the system resources and environment to obtain sensitive data once SSL is terminated.

CAPEC-593: Session Hijacking

This type of attack involves an adversary that exploits weaknesses in an application's use of sessions in performing authentication. The adversary is able to steal or manipulate an active session and use it to gain unathorized access to the application.

CAPEC-633: Token Impersonation

An adversary exploits a weakness in authentication to create an access token (or equivalent) that impersonates a different entity, and then associates a process/thread to that that impersonated token. This action causes a downstream user to make a decision or take action that is based on the assumed identity, and not the response that blocks the adversary.

CAPEC-650: Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server

By exploiting insufficient permissions, it is possible to upload a web shell to a web server in such a way that it can be executed remotely. This shell can have various capabilities, thereby acting as a "gateway" to the underlying web server. The shell might execute at the higher permission level of the web server, providing the ability the execute malicious code at elevated levels.

CAPEC-94: Adversary in the Middle (AiTM)

An adversary targets the communication between two components (typically client and server), in order to alter or obtain data from transactions. A general approach entails the adversary placing themself within the communication channel between the two components.