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CWE-65: Windows Hard Link

Individual Definition in a New Window
Windows Hard Link
Status: Incomplete
Weakness ID: 65 (Weakness Variant)
Description
Summary

The software, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently handle 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 software to operate on unauthorized files.

Extended 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. AUTOEXEC.BAT). When the process opens the file, the attacker can assume the privileges of that process, or prevent the program from accurately processing data.

Potential Mitigations

Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to files. 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.

Observed Examples
ReferenceDescription
 
 
Research Gaps

Under-studied

Relationships
NatureTypeIDNameView(s) this relationship pertains toView(s)
ChildOfCategoryCategory63Windows Path Link Problems
Resource-specific Weaknesses (primary)631
Development Concepts (primary)699
ChildOfWeakness BaseWeakness BaseWeakness Base59Failure to Resolve Links Before File Access (aka 'Link Following')
Research Concepts (primary)1000
ChildOfCategoryCategory743CERT C Secure Coding Section 09 - Input Output (FIO)
Weaknesses Addressed by the CERT C Secure Coding Standard (primary)734
Taxonomy Mappings
Mapped Taxonomy NameNode IDMapped Node Name
PLOVER Windows hard link
CERT C Secure CodingFIO05-CIdentify files using multiple file attributes
Applicable Platforms
Languages
All
Operating Systems
Windows
Time of Introduction
* Implementation
* Operation
Content History
Submissions
PLOVER. (Externally Mined)
Modifications
Eric Dalci. Cigital. 2008-07-01. (External)
updated Time_of_Introduction
CWE Content Team. MITRE. 2008-09-08. (Internal)
updated Applicable_Platforms, Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
CWE Content Team. MITRE. 2008-10-14. (Internal)
updated Description
CWE Content Team. MITRE. 2008-11-24. (Internal)
updated Relationships, Taxonomy_Mappings
Page Last Updated: November 24, 2008