LFI

Understanding LFI (Local File Inclusion)

What is LFI? Local File Inclusion (LFI) is a security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker can manipulate a web application to include local files on the server. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, such as system configuration files, password files, or other critical resources.

How It Works: LFI vulnerabilities arise when a web application allows user input to specify a file path, but fails to properly validate or sanitize that input. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the file path to include sensitive files, often through URL or form parameters.

Why It Matters: LFI can expose sensitive information, allow code execution, or even lead to remote code execution (RCE) if misconfigured. It is a critical vulnerability that can compromise a server's integrity if not mitigated properly.

Common Use Cases: LFI is commonly found in applications that allow users to view or include files, such as content management systems (CMS). By manipulating the file path, attackers can gain unauthorized access to system files or configuration files.

Mitigating LFI requires careful input validation and restricting file inclusion operations to prevent unauthorized file access.