UNIX Hard Link

The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the name is associated with a hard link to a target that is outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.


Description

Failure for a system to check for hard links can result in vulnerability to different types of attacks. For example, an attacker can escalate their privileges if a file used by a privileged program is replaced with a hard link to a sensitive file (e.g. /etc/passwd). When the process opens the file, the attacker can assume the privileges of that process.

See Also

Comprehensive Categorization: File Handling

Weaknesses in this category are related to file handling.

SFP Secondary Cluster: Link in Resource Name Resolution

This category identifies Software Fault Patterns (SFPs) within the Link in Resource Name Resolution cluster (SFP18).

CERT C++ Secure Coding Section 09 - Input Output (FIO)

Weaknesses in this category are related to rules in the Input Output (FIO) section of the CERT C++ Secure Coding Standard. Since not all rules map to specific weakness...

Comprehensive CWE Dictionary

This view (slice) covers all the elements in CWE.

Weaknesses Introduced During Implementation

This view (slice) lists weaknesses that can be introduced during implementation.


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