CWE-64

Windows Shortcut Following (.LNK)

Low Risk

Weakness Description

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.

Potential Mitigations

Architecture and Design

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.

Common Consequences

ConfidentialityIntegrity
Read Files or DirectoriesModify Files or Directories

The shortcut (file with the .lnk extension) can permit an attacker to read/write a file that they originally did not have permissions to access.

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