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.

5964 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-WR9F-CR47-6784

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-27 00:30 – Updated: 2026-04-27 00:30
VLAI
Details

A flaw has been found in 666ghj MiroFish up to 0.1.2. This affects the function create_app of the file backend/app/init.py of the component REST API Endpoint. Executing a manipulation can lead to missing authentication. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been published and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-7042"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-04-26T22:17:31Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A flaw has been found in 666ghj MiroFish up to 0.1.2. This affects the function create_app of the file backend/app/__init__.py of the component REST API Endpoint. Executing a manipulation can lead to missing authentication. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been published and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.",
  "id": "GHSA-wr9f-cr47-6784",
  "modified": "2026-04-27T00:30:27Z",
  "published": "2026-04-27T00:30:27Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-7042"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/666ghj/MiroFish/issues/487"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/666ghj/MiroFish"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://vuldb.com/submit/798583"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/359621"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://vuldb.com/vuln/359621/cti"
    }
  ],
  "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:L",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/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-WRFX-V3MV-PVWW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:35 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:35
VLAI
Details

On Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices before 5.06.115, the NAS Admin dashboard has an authentication bypass vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to execute privileged commands on the device.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-28940"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-12-01T16:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "On Western Digital My Cloud OS 5 devices before 5.06.115, the NAS Admin dashboard has an authentication bypass vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to execute privileged commands on the device.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrfx-v3mv-pvww",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:35:14Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:35:14Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-28940"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?g=907\u0026lang=en#downloads"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.westerndigital.com/support/productsecurity/wdc-20009-os5-firmware-5-06-115"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1445"
    }
  ],
  "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-WRJG-PJ2X-PFW3

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:49 – Updated: 2022-06-29 00:00
VLAI
Details

An issue was discovered on Libre Wireless LS9 LS1.5/p7040 devices. There is a Authentication Bypass in the Web Interface. This interface does not properly restrict access to internal functionality. Despite presenting a password login page on first access, authentication is not required to access privileged functionality. As such, it's possible to directly access APIs that should not be exposed to an unauthenticated user.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-35758"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-05-03T21:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "An issue was discovered on Libre Wireless LS9 LS1.5/p7040 devices. There is a Authentication Bypass in the Web Interface. This interface does not properly restrict access to internal functionality. Despite presenting a password login page on first access, authentication is not required to access privileged functionality. As such, it\u0027s possible to directly access APIs that should not be exposed to an unauthenticated user.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrjg-pj2x-pfw3",
  "modified": "2022-06-29T00:00:32Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:49:24Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-35758"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.iot-inspector.com/blog/advisory-multiple-issues-libre-wireless-ls9"
    }
  ],
  "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-WRJQ-C6H8-5HJQ

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-10 19:01 – Updated: 2022-11-10 19:01
VLAI
Details

UPSMON Pro login function has insufficient authentication. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication and get administrator privilege to access, control system or disrupt service.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-38119"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-11-10T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "UPSMON Pro login function has insufficient authentication. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication and get administrator privilege to access, control system or disrupt service.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrjq-c6h8-5hjq",
  "modified": "2022-11-10T19:01:09Z",
  "published": "2022-11-10T19:01:09Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-38119"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.twcert.org.tw/tw/cp-132-6678-e9fbe-1.html"
    }
  ],
  "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-WRMC-3XQ2-8PF7

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-20 03:31 – Updated: 2026-05-20 03:31
VLAI
Details

The Account Switcher plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.2. This is due to the rememberLogin REST API endpoint using a loose comparison (!= instead of !==) for secret validation at app/RestAPI.php:111, combined with no validation that the secret is non-empty. When a target user has never used the "Remember me" feature, their asSecret user meta does not exist, causing get_user_meta() to return an empty string. An attacker can send an empty secret parameter, which passes the comparison ('' != '' is false), and the endpoint then calls wp_set_auth_cookie() for the target user. Additionally, all REST routes use permission_callback => '__return_true' with no capability checks. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to switch to any user account including Administrator, ultimately granting themselves full administrative privileges.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-6456"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-05-20T02:16:38Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The Account Switcher plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.2. This is due to the `rememberLogin` REST API endpoint using a loose comparison (`!=` instead of `!==`) for secret validation at `app/RestAPI.php:111`, combined with no validation that the secret is non-empty. When a target user has never used the \"Remember me\" feature, their `asSecret` user meta does not exist, causing `get_user_meta()` to return an empty string. An attacker can send an empty `secret` parameter, which passes the comparison (`\u0027\u0027 != \u0027\u0027` is `false`), and the endpoint then calls `wp_set_auth_cookie()` for the target user. Additionally, all REST routes use `permission_callback =\u003e \u0027__return_true\u0027` with no capability checks. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to switch to any user account including Administrator, ultimately granting themselves full administrative privileges.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrmc-3xq2-8pf7",
  "modified": "2026-05-20T03:31:35Z",
  "published": "2026-05-20T03:31:34Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-6456"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/account-switcher/tags/1.0.2/app/PluginHero/BaseAPI.php#L54"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/account-switcher/tags/1.0.2/app/RestAPI.php#L111"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://wordpress.org/plugins/account-switcher"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/9e9cfb9b-6951-4246-9cd6-dd64fee3a1bc?source=cve"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-WRQH-VG7Q-4H79

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

Zoho ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus prior to 6.0.1 uses default admin credentials to communicate with a DataEngine Xnode server. This allows an attacker to bypass authentication for this server and execute all operations in the context of admin user.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-11532"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-05-08T21:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Zoho ManageEngine DataSecurity Plus prior to 6.0.1 uses default admin credentials to communicate with a DataEngine Xnode server. This allows an attacker to bypass authentication for this server and execute all operations in the context of admin user.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrqh-vg7q-4h79",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:17:29Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:17:29Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-11532"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://pitstop.manageengine.com/portal/community/topic/upgrade-datasecurity-plus-to-the-build-6013-to-fix-security-issues"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157609/ManageEngine-DataSecurity-Plus-Authentication-Bypass.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/28"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-WRV4-MQVJ-WCXG

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:38 – Updated: 2025-04-09 03:52
VLAI
Details

The Linksys WRT54G router has "admin" as its default FTP password, which allows remote attackers to access sensitive files including nvram.cfg, a file that lists all HTML documents, and an ELF executable file.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2008-1264"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2008-03-10T17:44:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The Linksys WRT54G router has \"admin\" as its default FTP password, which allows remote attackers to access sensitive files including nvram.cfg, a file that lists all HTML documents, and an ELF executable file.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrv4-mqvj-wcxg",
  "modified": "2025-04-09T03:52:22Z",
  "published": "2022-05-01T23:38:15Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-1264"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/41126"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.gnucitizen.org/projects/router-hacking-challenge"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/489009/100/0/threaded"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-WRV9-427P-JX59

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 00:37 – Updated: 2022-05-17 00:37
VLAI
Details

Xigla Software Absolute Control Panel XE 1.5 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting a cookie to a certain value.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2008-6859"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2009-07-14T14:30:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Xigla Software Absolute Control Panel XE 1.5 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrative access by setting a cookie to a certain value.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrv9-427p-jx59",
  "modified": "2022-05-17T00:37:41Z",
  "published": "2022-05-17T00:37:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-6859"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46247"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6893"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/32472"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32025"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-WRWC-95G6-4FM3

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:35 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:35
VLAI
Details

Sympa before 6.2.59b.2 allows remote attackers to obtain full SOAP API access by sending any arbitrary string (except one from an expired cookie) as the cookie value to authenticateAndRun.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-29668"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-12-10T08:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Sympa before 6.2.59b.2 allows remote attackers to obtain full SOAP API access by sending any arbitrary string (except one from an expired cookie) as the cookie value to authenticateAndRun.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrwc-95g6-4fm3",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:35:58Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:35:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-29668"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/sympa-community/sympa/issues/1041"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/sympa-community/sympa/pull/1044"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=976020"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/sympa-community/sympa/blob/6.2.59b.2/NEWS.md"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/12/msg00026.html"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EFZWDEKQFW3EH665OECDWIWM2MI7T53Y"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JICIHAJKKCZXJNIICUDYXGZFQCN6J4U6"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4818"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-WRWJ-R75G-4VX9

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-13 00:00 – Updated: 2025-10-22 00:32
VLAI
Details

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central is vulnerable to authentication bypass, leading to remote code execution on the server, as exploited in the wild in December 2021. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3. For MSP builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For MSP builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-44515"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2021-12-12T05:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central is vulnerable to authentication bypass, leading to remote code execution on the server, as exploited in the wild in December 2021. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3. For MSP builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For MSP builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3.",
  "id": "GHSA-wrwj-r75g-4vx9",
  "modified": "2025-10-22T00:32:26Z",
  "published": "2021-12-13T00:00:34Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44515"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://pitstop.manageengine.com/portal/en/community/topic/an-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-identified-and-fixed-in-desktop-central-and-desktop-central-msp"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-44515"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2021/12/10/cisa-adds-thirteen-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/cve-2021-44515-authentication-bypass-filter-configuration.html"
    }
  ],
  "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"
    }
  ]
}

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.