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CWE - 78 : Improper Sanitization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

CWE Definition http://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/78.html
Number of vulnerabilities: 75
Description The software constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not sanitize or incorrectly sanitizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.This could allow attackers to execute unexpected, dangerous commands directly on the operating system. This weakness can lead to a vulnerability in environments in which the attacker does not have direct access to the operating system, such as in web applications. Alternately, if the weakness occurs in a privileged program, it could allow the attacker to specify commands that normally would not be accessible, or to call alternate commands with privileges that the attacker does not have. The problem is exacerbated if the compromised process fails to follow the principle of least privilege, because the attacker-controlled commands may run with special system privileges that increases the amount of damage.
Background Details
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