CWE-77
Allowed-with-ReviewImproper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
5381 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-9WGP-3XM8-WJWJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-08 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-15 00:00PhoneSystem Terminal in 3CX Phone System (Debian based installation) 16.0.0.1570 allows an authenticated attacker to run arbitrary commands with the phonesystem user privileges because of " followed by " mishandling.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-9972"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-07T18:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "PhoneSystem Terminal in 3CX Phone System (Debian based installation) 16.0.0.1570 allows an authenticated attacker to run arbitrary commands with the phonesystem user privileges because of \"\u003cspace\u003e\u003cspace\u003e followed by \u003cshift\u003e\u003center\u003e\" mishandling.",
"id": "GHSA-9wgp-3xm8-wjwj",
"modified": "2022-06-15T00:00:24Z",
"published": "2022-06-08T00:00:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-9972"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.gosecure.net/blog"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.gosecure.net/blog/2022/05/31/security-advisory-multiple-vulnerabilities-impact-3cx-phone-system"
}
],
"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-9WGQ-FHM2-PJF3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-24 19:00 – Updated: 2024-09-30 15:30Command injection and multiple stack-based buffer overflows vulnerabilities in the modifyUserb_func function of spx_restservice allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the server user (root). This issue affects: Lanner Inc IAC-AST2500A standard firmware version 1.10.0.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26731"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-121",
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-10-24T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Command injection and multiple stack-based buffer overflows vulnerabilities in the modifyUserb_func function of spx_restservice allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the server user (root). This issue affects: Lanner Inc IAC-AST2500A standard firmware version 1.10.0.",
"id": "GHSA-9wgq-fhm2-pjf3",
"modified": "2024-09-30T15:30:43Z",
"published": "2022-10-24T19:00:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26731"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelist/blob/master/2021/26xxx/CVE-2021-26731.json"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.nozominetworks.com/blog/vulnerabilities-in-bmc-firmware-affect-ot-iot-device-security-part-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.nozominetworks.com/labs/vulnerability-advisories/CVE-2021-26731"
}
],
"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-9WP5-WRC6-28R7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-06-02 15:31 – Updated: 2025-07-02 18:30A command injection remote code execution vulnerability exists in HPE StoreOnce Software.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-37096"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-06-02T15:15:34Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A command injection remote code execution vulnerability exists in HPE StoreOnce Software.",
"id": "GHSA-9wp5-wrc6-28r7",
"modified": "2025-07-02T18:30:32Z",
"published": "2025-06-02T15:31:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-37096"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbst04847en_us\u0026docLocale=en_US"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/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-9WXC-375C-CVQ2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-23 00:00 – Updated: 2021-11-27 00:00The uri-block plugin in Apache APISIX before 2.10.2 uses $request_uri without verification. The $request_uri is the full original request URI without normalization. This makes it possible to construct a URI to bypass the block list on some occasions. For instance, when the block list contains "^/internal/", a URI like //internal/ can be used to bypass it. Some other plugins also have the same issue. And it may affect the developer's custom plugin.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-43557"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-22T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The uri-block plugin in Apache APISIX before 2.10.2 uses $request_uri without verification. The $request_uri is the full original request URI without normalization. This makes it possible to construct a URI to bypass the block list on some occasions. For instance, when the block list contains \"^/internal/\", a URI like `//internal/` can be used to bypass it. Some other plugins also have the same issue. And it may affect the developer\u0027s custom plugin.",
"id": "GHSA-9wxc-375c-cvq2",
"modified": "2021-11-27T00:00:25Z",
"published": "2021-11-23T00:00:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43557"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread/18jyd458ptocr31rnkjs71w4h366mv7h"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/11/22/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/11/22/2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/11/23/1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-9X6J-G82G-J94H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-11-13 00:30 – Updated: 2024-11-22 21:32An issue in DLink DWR 2000M 5G CPE With Wifi 6 Ax1800 and Dlink DWR 5G CPE DWR-2000M_1.34ME allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-28729"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-11-12T23:15:04Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An issue in DLink DWR 2000M 5G CPE With Wifi 6 Ax1800 and Dlink DWR 5G CPE DWR-2000M_1.34ME allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted request.",
"id": "GHSA-9x6j-g82g-j94h",
"modified": "2024-11-22T21:32:12Z",
"published": "2024-11-13T00:30:48Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-28729"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Mrnmap/mrnmap-cve"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Mrnmap/mrnmap-cve/blob/main/CVE-2024-28729"
}
],
"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-9X97-X2P9-HVPF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:33 – Updated: 2023-03-10 00:57Ruby Gem Fileutils prior to v0.7.1 contains a Command Injection vulnerability in user supplied url variable that is passed to the shell.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "RubyGems",
"name": "fileutils"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "0.7.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2013-2516"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2023-03-10T00:57:34Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2019-02-15T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Ruby Gem Fileutils prior to v0.7.1 contains a Command Injection vulnerability in user supplied url variable that is passed to the shell.",
"id": "GHSA-9x97-x2p9-hvpf",
"modified": "2023-03-10T00:57:34Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:33:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-2516"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ruby/fileutils/commit/994c7aa1ba391689f844a069b9aee9e49813686c"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugs.ruby-lang.org/issues/7958"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/ruby/fileutils"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/fileutils/CVE-2013-2516.yml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://rubygems.org/gems/fileutils"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=36"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Fileutils Command Injection vulnerability"
}
GHSA-9X98-JV6R-7JG8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-05-09 00:30 – Updated: 2025-05-09 00:30A vulnerability was found in D-Link DIR-605L 2.13B01. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function sub_454F2C. The manipulation of the argument sysCmd leads to command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure. This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-4443"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-74",
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-05-09T00:15:19Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in D-Link DIR-605L 2.13B01. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function sub_454F2C. The manipulation of the argument sysCmd leads to command injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure. This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.",
"id": "GHSA-9x98-jv6r-7jg8",
"modified": "2025-05-09T00:30:35Z",
"published": "2025-05-09T00:30:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-4443"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jylsec/vuldb/blob/main/D-Link/dlink_dir605l/Command_injection-sub_454F2C-sysCmd/README.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.308051"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.308051"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.558355"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.dlink.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/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-9XCH-XVJ3-FMF3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-04-10 18:30 – Updated: 2025-11-18 18:32A command inject vulnerability allows an attacker to perform command injection on Windows applications that indirectly depend on the CreateProcess function when the specific conditions are satisfied.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-3566"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-04-10T16:15:16Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A command inject vulnerability allows an attacker to perform command injection on Windows applications that indirectly depend on the CreateProcess function when the specific conditions are satisfied.",
"id": "GHSA-9xch-xvj3-fmf3",
"modified": "2025-11-18T18:32:45Z",
"published": "2024-04-10T18:30:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-3566"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://flatt.tech/research/posts/batbadbut-you-cant-securely-execute-commands-on-windows"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/nu11secur1ty/Windows11Exploits/tree/main/2024/CVE-2024-3566"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.cert.org/vuls/id/123335"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/twistylittlepassagesallalike/everyone-quotes-command-line-arguments-the-wrong-way"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-1874"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-22423"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-24576"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/123335"
}
],
"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-9XCX-66R3-HP2H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:42 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:42This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6020, R6080, R6120, R6220, R6260, R6700v2, R6800, R6900v2, R7450, JNR3210, WNR2020, Nighthawk AC2100, and Nighthawk AC2400 firmware version 1.2.0.62_1.0.1 routers. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the mini_httpd service, which listens on TCP port 80 by default. When parsing the funjsq_access_token parameter, the process does not properly validate a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-11653.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-27867"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-02-12T00:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6020, R6080, R6120, R6220, R6260, R6700v2, R6800, R6900v2, R7450, JNR3210, WNR2020, Nighthawk AC2100, and Nighthawk AC2400 firmware version 1.2.0.62_1.0.1 routers. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the mini_httpd service, which listens on TCP port 80 by default. When parsing the funjsq_access_token parameter, the process does not properly validate a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-11653.",
"id": "GHSA-9xcx-66r3-hp2h",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:42:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:42:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-27867"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.netgear.com/000062641/Security-Advisory-for-Password-Recovery-Vulnerabilities-on-Some-Routers"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1423"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-9XFR-G3RQ-8FP4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-08-26 00:03 – Updated: 2022-08-27 00:00TOTOLINK N350RT V9.3.5u.6139_B20201216 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via the ip parameter in the function setDiagnosisCfg.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-36481"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-08-25T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TOTOLINK N350RT V9.3.5u.6139_B20201216 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via the ip parameter in the function setDiagnosisCfg.",
"id": "GHSA-9xfr-g3rq-8fp4",
"modified": "2022-08-27T00:00:56Z",
"published": "2022-08-26T00:03:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36481"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Darry-lang1/vuln/tree/main/TOTOLINK/N350RT/1"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
Mitigation
If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
Mitigation
Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
Mitigation
Assign permissions that prevent the user from accessing/opening privileged files.
CAPEC-136: LDAP Injection
An attacker manipulates or crafts an LDAP query for the purpose of undermining the security of the target. Some applications use user input to create LDAP queries that are processed by an LDAP server. For example, a user might provide their username during authentication and the username might be inserted in an LDAP query during the authentication process. An attacker could use this input to inject additional commands into an LDAP query that could disclose sensitive information. For example, entering a * in the aforementioned query might return information about all users on the system. This attack is very similar to an SQL injection attack in that it manipulates a query to gather additional information or coerce a particular return value.
CAPEC-15: Command Delimiters
An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that allows an attacker's commands to be concatenated onto a legitimate command with the intent of targeting other resources such as the file system or database. The system that uses a filter or denylist input validation, as opposed to allowlist validation is vulnerable to an attacker who predicts delimiters (or combinations of delimiters) not present in the filter or denylist. As with other injection attacks, the attacker uses the command delimiter payload as an entry point to tunnel through the application and activate additional attacks through SQL queries, shell commands, network scanning, and so on.
CAPEC-183: IMAP/SMTP Command Injection
An adversary exploits weaknesses in input validation on web-mail servers to execute commands on the IMAP/SMTP server. Web-mail servers often sit between the Internet and the IMAP or SMTP mail server. User requests are received by the web-mail servers which then query the back-end mail server for the requested information and return this response to the user. In an IMAP/SMTP command injection attack, mail-server commands are embedded in parts of the request sent to the web-mail server. If the web-mail server fails to adequately sanitize these requests, these commands are then sent to the back-end mail server when it is queried by the web-mail server, where the commands are then executed. This attack can be especially dangerous since administrators may assume that the back-end server is protected against direct Internet access and therefore may not secure it adequately against the execution of malicious commands.
CAPEC-248: Command Injection
An adversary looking to execute a command of their choosing, injects new items into an existing command thus modifying interpretation away from what was intended. Commands in this context are often standalone strings that are interpreted by a downstream component and cause specific responses. This type of attack is possible when untrusted values are used to build these command strings. Weaknesses in input validation or command construction can enable the attack and lead to successful exploitation.
CAPEC-40: Manipulating Writeable Terminal Devices
This attack exploits terminal devices that allow themselves to be written to by other users. The attacker sends command strings to the target terminal device hoping that the target user will hit enter and thereby execute the malicious command with their privileges. The attacker can send the results (such as copying /etc/passwd) to a known directory and collect once the attack has succeeded.
CAPEC-43: Exploiting Multiple Input Interpretation Layers
An attacker supplies the target software with input data that contains sequences of special characters designed to bypass input validation logic. This exploit relies on the target making multiples passes over the input data and processing a "layer" of special characters with each pass. In this manner, the attacker can disguise input that would otherwise be rejected as invalid by concealing it with layers of special/escape characters that are stripped off by subsequent processing steps. The goal is to first discover cases where the input validation layer executes before one or more parsing layers. That is, user input may go through the following logic in an application: <parser1> --> <input validator> --> <parser2>. In such cases, the attacker will need to provide input that will pass through the input validator, but after passing through parser2, will be converted into something that the input validator was supposed to stop.
CAPEC-75: Manipulating Writeable Configuration Files
Generally these are manually edited files that are not in the preview of the system administrators, any ability on the attackers' behalf to modify these files, for example in a CVS repository, gives unauthorized access directly to the application, the same as authorized users.
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.