CWE-64

Windows Shortcut Following (.LNK)
AI Translation Available

The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently handle when the file is a Windows shortcut (.LNK) whose target is outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.

Status
incomplete
Abstraction
variant
Likelihood
low

Common Consequences

confidentiality integrity
Impacts
read files or directories modify files or directories

Potential Mitigations

Phases:
architecture and design
Descriptions:
• 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.

Functional Areas

file processing