CWE-59
AllowedImproper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
1990 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-F2WQ-WRC8-9J57
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-03 03:20 – Updated: 2022-05-03 03:20contrib/pdfmark/pdfroff.sh in GNU troff (aka groff) before 1.21 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a pdf#####.tmp temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2009-5044"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2011-06-24T20:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "contrib/pdfmark/pdfroff.sh in GNU troff (aka groff) before 1.21 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a pdf#####.tmp temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-f2wq-wrc8-9j57",
"modified": "2022-05-03T03:20:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-03T03:20:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-5044"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/kb/HT205031"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=538330"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://cvsweb.openwall.com/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/Owl/packages/groff/groff-1.20.1-owl-tmp.diff.diff?r1=1.1;r2=1.2;f=h"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2015/Aug/msg00001.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/09/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/10/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/14/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/44999"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:085"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:086"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36381"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-F2X5-XV5G-CXFH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 18:33 – Updated: 2022-05-01 18:33The web console in CA (formerly Computer Associates) eTrust ITM (Threat Manager) 8.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites via a crafted HTTP URL on port 6689.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2007-5437"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2007-10-13T01:17:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The web console in CA (formerly Computer Associates) eTrust ITM (Threat Manager) 8.1 allows remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites via a crafted HTTP URL on port 6689.",
"id": "GHSA-f2x5-xv5g-cxfh",
"modified": "2022-05-01T18:33:13Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T18:33:13Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2007-5437"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/43482"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securityreason.com/securityalert/3219"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.eleytt.com/advisories/eleytt_ETRUSTITM2.pdf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/482021/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/26013"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-F2XG-M95Q-882Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:46 – Updated: 2022-05-17 03:46A certain Red Hat script for sudo 1.7.2 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /var/tmp/nsswitch.conf.bak temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2012-3440"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2012-08-08T10:26:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A certain Red Hat script for sudo 1.7.2 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /var/tmp/nsswitch.conf.bak temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-f2xg-m95q-882q",
"modified": "2022-05-17T03:46:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:46:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-3440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012:1149"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2012-3440"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=844442"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinjul2016-3090546.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/54868"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-F3GF-W5H5-PC5J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:13 – Updated: 2025-04-11 04:08(1) contrib/gforge-3.0-cronjobs.patch, (2) cronjobs/homedirs.php, (3) deb-specific/fileforge.pl, (4) deb-specific/group_dump_update.pl, (5) deb-specific/ssh_dump_update.pl, (6) deb-specific/user_dump_update.pl, (7) plugins/scmbzr/common/BzrPlugin.class.php, (8) plugins/scmcvs/common/CVSPlugin.class.php, (9) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/cvs.php, (10) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/ssh_create.php, (11) plugins/scmgit/common/GitPlugin.class.php, (12) plugins/scmsvn/common/SVNPlugin.class.php, (13) plugins/wiki/cronjobs/create_groups.php, (14) utils/cvs1/cvscreate.sh, and (15) utils/include.pl in FusionForge 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 allows local users to change arbitrary file permissions, obtain sensitive information, and have other unspecified impacts via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on certain files.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2013-1423"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2013-03-14T03:13:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "(1) contrib/gforge-3.0-cronjobs.patch, (2) cronjobs/homedirs.php, (3) deb-specific/fileforge.pl, (4) deb-specific/group_dump_update.pl, (5) deb-specific/ssh_dump_update.pl, (6) deb-specific/user_dump_update.pl, (7) plugins/scmbzr/common/BzrPlugin.class.php, (8) plugins/scmcvs/common/CVSPlugin.class.php, (9) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/cvs.php, (10) plugins/scmcvs/cronjobs/ssh_create.php, (11) plugins/scmgit/common/GitPlugin.class.php, (12) plugins/scmsvn/common/SVNPlugin.class.php, (13) plugins/wiki/cronjobs/create_groups.php, (14) utils/cvs1/cvscreate.sh, and (15) utils/include.pl in FusionForge 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 allows local users to change arbitrary file permissions, obtain sensitive information, and have other unspecified impacts via a (1) symlink or (2) hard link attack on certain files.",
"id": "GHSA-f3gf-w5h5-pc5j",
"modified": "2025-04-11T04:08:21Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:13:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-1423"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=0cc51b3aca51fa915a35195fdf729bcdb903f2af"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=1fc730b97c797e03b89cd37823ab345d35286cf4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=9937b9d94ab60ff67fe249c1b9a6c8e3fc1778ba"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git;a=commitdiff;h=0cc51b3aca51fa915a35195fdf729bcdb903f2af"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git;a=commitdiff;h=1fc730b97c797e03b89cd37823ab345d35286cf4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fusionforge.org/plugins/scmgit/cgi-bin/gitweb.cgi?p=fusionforge/fusionforge.git;a=commitdiff;h=9937b9d94ab60ff67fe249c1b9a6c8e3fc1778ba"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://osvdb.org/90605"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/52318"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/52371"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2633"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/02/25/5"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/58143"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-F3WC-6XHJ-WH83
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-09 18:30 – Updated: 2025-12-09 18:30Dell Encryption, versions prior to 11.12.1, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') vulnerability. A local malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-46637"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-09T18:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dell Encryption, versions prior to 11.12.1, contain an Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u0027) vulnerability. A local malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-f3wc-6xhj-wh83",
"modified": "2025-12-09T18:30:45Z",
"published": "2025-12-09T18:30:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-46637"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000394657/dsa-2025-442"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F3XM-HQCH-MQ3Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:50 – Updated: 2024-04-04 01:17In GNU patch through 2.7.6, the following of symlinks is mishandled in certain cases other than input files. This affects inp.c and util.c.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-13636"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-07-17T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In GNU patch through 2.7.6, the following of symlinks is mishandled in certain cases other than input files. This affects inp.c and util.c.",
"id": "GHSA-f3xm-hqch-mq3q",
"modified": "2024-04-04T01:17:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:50:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-13636"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/patch.git/commit/?id=dce4683cbbe107a95f1f0d45fabc304acfb5d71a"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/irsl/gnu-patch-vulnerabilities"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/07/msg00016.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SVWWGISFWACROJJPVJJL4UBLVZ7LPOLT"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Aug/29"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jul/54"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201908-22"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190828-0001"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4071-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4071-2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4489"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/154124/GNU-patch-Command-Injection-Directory-Traversal.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F48Q-JHQH-WVCV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31Intel Driver & Support Assistant Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Intel Driver & Support Assistant. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the DSA Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-21846.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-42099"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:47Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Intel Driver \u0026 Support Assistant Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Intel Driver \u0026 Support Assistant. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the DSA Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-21846.",
"id": "GHSA-f48q-jhqh-wvcv",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:01Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-42099"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1449"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F49P-8MPP-WHC8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-23 03:31 – Updated: 2024-11-23 03:31Avast Cleanup Premium Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Cleanup Premium. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Avast Cleanup Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-22892.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-7229"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-22T22:15:15Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Avast Cleanup Premium Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Avast Cleanup Premium. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Avast Cleanup Service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to delete a file. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-22892.",
"id": "GHSA-f49p-8mpp-whc8",
"modified": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"published": "2024-11-23T03:31:58Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-7229"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-24-1002"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F4JG-5WJ8-PR9P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-14 18:30 – Updated: 2025-01-27 18:31An arbitrary file deletion vulnerability exists in PaperCut NG/MF that only affects Windows servers with Web Print enabled. This vulnerability requires local login/console access to the PaperCut NG/MF server (eg: member of a domain admin group).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-3037"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-552",
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-14T15:39:48Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An arbitrary file deletion vulnerability exists in PaperCut NG/MF that only affects Windows servers with Web Print enabled. This vulnerability requires local login/console access to the PaperCut NG/MF server (eg: member of a domain admin group).\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-f4jg-5wj8-pr9p",
"modified": "2025-01-27T18:31:59Z",
"published": "2024-05-14T18:30:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-3037"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.papercut.com/kb/Main/security-bulletin-may-2024"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F4Q9-G8VJ-Q74X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:05 – Updated: 2022-05-17 03:05CUPS before 2.0 allows local users to read arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) index.html, (2) index.class, (3) index.pl, (4) index.php, (5) index.pyc, or (6) index.py.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-5030"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-07-29T14:55:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "CUPS before 2.0 allows local users to read arbitrary files via a symlink attack on (1) index.html, (2) index.class, (3) index.pl, (4) index.php, (5) index.pyc, or (6) index.py.",
"id": "GHSA-f4q9-g8vj-q74x",
"modified": "2022-05-17T03:05:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:05:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-5030"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cups.org/str.php?L4455"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2014-0313.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-1388.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/60509"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/60787"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2014/dsa-2990"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2015:108"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/22/13"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/22/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2341-1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack
An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.
CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.
CAPEC-76: Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls
An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.