CWE-287
DiscouragedImproper Authentication
Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
6212 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-7CJ4-GJ8M-M2F7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-04-22 16:13 – Updated: 2021-08-31 21:06Apache Shiro before 1.7.0, when using Apache Shiro with Spring, a specially crafted HTTP request may cause an authentication bypass.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Maven",
"name": "org.apache.shiro:shiro-spring"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.7.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-17510"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-04-21T21:21:47Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-05T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Apache Shiro before 1.7.0, when using Apache Shiro with Spring, a specially crafted HTTP request may cause an authentication bypass.",
"id": "GHSA-7cj4-gj8m-m2f7",
"modified": "2021-08-31T21:06:39Z",
"published": "2021-04-22T16:13:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-17510"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/shiro/commit/dc194fc977ab6cfbf3c1ecb085e2bac5db14af6d"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/apache/shiro"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r575301804bfac87a064359cf4b4ae9d514f2d10db7d44120765f4129@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r70098e336d02047ce4d4e69293fe8d558cd68cde06f6430398959bc4@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r70b907ccb306e9391145e2b10f56cc6914a245f91720a17a486c020a@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r852971e28f54cafa7d325bd7033115c67d613b112a2a1076817390ac@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r95bdf3703858b5f958b5e190d747421771b430d97095880db91980d6@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9d93dfb5df016b1a71a808486bc8f9fbafebbdbc8533625f91253f1d@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb47d88af224e396ee34ffb88ee99fb6d04510de5722cf14b7137e6bc@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc2cff2538b683d480426393eecf1ce8dd80e052fbef49303b4f47171%40%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/re25b8317b00a50272a7252c4552cf1a81a97984cc2111ef7728e48e0@%3Cdev.shiro.apache.org%3E"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/08/msg00002.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Authentication bypass in Apache Shiro"
}
GHSA-7CJR-22FR-R5VF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-06-27 00:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 05:11Affected versions of Trend Micro Mobile Security (Enterprise) 9.8 SP5 contain some widgets that would allow a remote user to bypass authentication and potentially chain with other vulnerabilities.
Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit these vulnerabilities.
This is similar to, but not identical to CVE-2023-32523.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-32524"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-06-26T22:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Affected versions of Trend Micro Mobile Security (Enterprise) 9.8 SP5 contain some widgets that would allow a remote user to bypass authentication and potentially chain with other vulnerabilities.\n\nPlease note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit these vulnerabilities.\n\nThis is similar to, but not identical to CVE-2023-32523.",
"id": "GHSA-7cjr-22fr-r5vf",
"modified": "2024-04-04T05:11:05Z",
"published": "2023-06-27T00:30:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-32524"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://success.trendmicro.com/dcx/s/solution/000293106?language=en_US"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-588"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7CQ7-9J9C-WC2J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-08 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-17 00:01Improper access control vulnerability in Smart Things prior to 1.7.85.25 allows local attackers to add arbitrary smart devices by bypassing login activity.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-30749"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-07T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper access control vulnerability in Smart Things prior to 1.7.85.25 allows local attackers to add arbitrary smart devices by bypassing login activity.",
"id": "GHSA-7cq7-9j9c-wc2j",
"modified": "2022-06-17T00:01:28Z",
"published": "2022-06-08T00:00:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-30749"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2022\u0026month=6"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7CVF-PXGP-42FC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-15 15:36 – Updated: 2025-07-15 15:37Summary
Directus Flows with a manual trigger are not validating whether the user triggering the Flow has permissions to the items provided as payload to the Flow. Depending on what the Flow is set up to do this can lead to the Flow executing potential tasks on the attacker's behalf without authenticating.
Impact
Bad actors could execute the manual trigger Flows without authentication, or access rights to the said collection(s) or item(s).
Users with manual trigger Flows configured are impacted as these endpoints do not currently validate if the user has read access to directus_flows or to the relevant collection/items. The manual trigger Flows should have tighter security requirements as compared to webhook Flows where users are expected to perform do their own checks.
Workarounds
Users have to implement permission checks for read access to Flows and read access to relevant collection/items.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "directus"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "11.9.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-53889"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-285",
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2025-07-15T15:36:59Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-15T00:15:23Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "### Summary\n\nDirectus Flows with a manual trigger are not validating whether the user triggering the Flow has permissions to the items provided as payload to the Flow. Depending on what the Flow is set up to do this can lead to the Flow executing potential tasks on the attacker\u0027s behalf without authenticating.\n\n### Impact\n\nBad actors could execute the manual trigger Flows without authentication, or access rights to the said collection(s) or item(s).\n\nUsers with manual trigger Flows configured are impacted as these endpoints do not currently validate if the user has read access to `directus_flows` or to the relevant collection/items. The manual trigger Flows should have tighter security requirements as compared to webhook Flows where users are expected to perform do their own checks.\n\n### Workarounds\nUsers have to implement permission checks for read access to Flows and read access to relevant collection/items.",
"id": "GHSA-7cvf-pxgp-42fc",
"modified": "2025-07-15T15:37:00Z",
"published": "2025-07-15T15:36:59Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/directus/directus/security/advisories/GHSA-7cvf-pxgp-42fc"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-53889"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/directus/directus/commit/22be460c76957708d67fdd52846a9ad1cbb083fb"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/directus/directus"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/directus/directus/releases/tag/v11.9.0"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Directus\u0027 insufficient permission checks can enable unauthenticated users to manually trigger Flows"
}
GHSA-7CW5-6327-97R5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:38 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:38TrackR Bravo device allows unauthenticated pairing, which enables unauthenticated connected applications to write to various device attributes. Updated apps, version 5.1.6 for iOS and 2.2.5 for Android, have been released by the vendor to address the vulnerabilities in CVE-2016-6538, CVE-2016-6539, CVE-2016-6540 and CVE-2016-6541.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-6541"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-07-06T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TrackR Bravo device allows unauthenticated pairing, which enables unauthenticated connected applications to write to various device attributes. Updated apps, version 5.1.6 for iOS and 2.2.5 for Android, have been released by the vendor to address the vulnerabilities in CVE-2016-6538, CVE-2016-6539, CVE-2016-6540 and CVE-2016-6541.",
"id": "GHSA-7cw5-6327-97r5",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:38:47Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:38:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-6541"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2016/10/25/multiple-bluetooth-low-energy-ble-tracker-vulnerabilities"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/617567"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/TNOY-AF3KCZ"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93874"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7FF4-PFF4-JJ4C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 06:47 – Updated: 2022-05-01 06:47Session fixation vulnerability in Drupal 4.5.x before 4.5.8 and 4.6.x before 4.5.8 allows remote attackers to gain privileges by tricking a user to click on a URL that fixes the session identifier.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2006-1228"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2006-03-14T19:06:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Session fixation vulnerability in Drupal 4.5.x before 4.5.8 and 4.6.x before 4.5.8 allows remote attackers to gain privileges by tricking a user to click on a URL that fixes the session identifier.",
"id": "GHSA-7ff4-pff4-jj4c",
"modified": "2022-05-01T06:47:12Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T06:47:12Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2006-1228"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/25205"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://drupal.org/node/53805"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/19245"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/19257"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://securityreason.com/securityalert/580"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1007"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.osvdb.org/23911"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/427589/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/17104"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-7FGM-343P-3RFJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:13 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:13CA Cloud Service Management (CSM) before Summer 2014 does not properly verify authentication tokens from an Identity Provider, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2014-8472"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2014-11-04T20:55:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "CA Cloud Service Management (CSM) before Summer 2014 does not properly verify authentication tokens from an Identity Provider, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.",
"id": "GHSA-7fgm-343p-3rfj",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:13:29Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:13:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-8472"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/98535"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.ca.com/us/support/ca-support-online/product-content/recommended-reading/security-notices/ca20141103-01-security-notice-for-ca-cloud-service-management.aspx"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/70923"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1031214"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-7FHJ-R9FJ-XV23
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-09 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-13 00:01Systemic Insecure Permissions in Northstar Technologies Inc NorthStar Club Management 6.3 allows remote unauthenticated users to use various functionalities without authentication.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-29396"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-04T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Systemic Insecure Permissions in Northstar Technologies Inc NorthStar Club Management 6.3 allows remote unauthenticated users to use various functionalities without authentication.",
"id": "GHSA-7fhj-r9fj-xv23",
"modified": "2022-07-13T00:01:16Z",
"published": "2022-02-09T00:00:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29396"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://Ardent-Security.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ardent-security.com/en/advisory/asa-2021-04"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-7FM8-2JGX-V3JH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:04 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:04An unauthenticated attacker with physical access to a computer with NetSetMan Pro before 5.0 installed, that has the pre-logon profile switch button within the Windows logon screen enabled, is able to drop to an administrative shell and execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM via the "save log to file" feature. To accomplish this, the attacker can navigate to cmd.exe.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-34546"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-06-10T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An unauthenticated attacker with physical access to a computer with NetSetMan Pro before 5.0 installed, that has the pre-logon profile switch button within the Windows logon screen enabled, is able to drop to an administrative shell and execute arbitrary commands as SYSTEM via the \"save log to file\" feature. To accomplish this, the attacker can navigate to cmd.exe.",
"id": "GHSA-7fm8-2jgx-v3jh",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:04:51Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:04:51Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34546"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.netsetman.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.secuvera.de"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.secuvera.de/advisories/secuvera-SA-2021-01.txt"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163097/NetSetManPro-4.7.2-Privilege-Escalation.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/Jun/17"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-7FP9-CVQR-RWMF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-16 18:32 – Updated: 2026-03-16 18:32A vulnerability was identified in Tenda AC8 16.03.50.11. Affected by this issue is the function check_is_ipv6 of the component IPv6 Handler. The manipulation leads to reliance on ip address for authentication. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-4252"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-287"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-16T17:16:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was identified in Tenda AC8 16.03.50.11. Affected by this issue is the function check_is_ipv6 of the component IPv6 Handler. The manipulation leads to reliance on ip address for authentication. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used.",
"id": "GHSA-7fp9-cvqr-rwmf",
"modified": "2026-03-16T18:32:03Z",
"published": "2026-03-16T18:32:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-4252"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/digitalandrew/tenda_ac8_v5/blob/main/poc_ipv6_auth_bypass.py"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.351210"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.351210"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.771759"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.tenda.com.cn"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
CAPEC-114: Authentication Abuse
An attacker obtains unauthorized access to an application, service or device either through knowledge of the inherent weaknesses of an authentication mechanism, or by exploiting a flaw in the authentication scheme's implementation. In such an attack an authentication mechanism is functioning but a carefully controlled sequence of events causes the mechanism to grant access to the attacker.
CAPEC-115: Authentication Bypass
An attacker gains access to application, service, or device with the privileges of an authorized or privileged user by evading or circumventing an authentication mechanism. The attacker is therefore able to access protected data without authentication ever having taken place.
CAPEC-151: Identity Spoofing
Identity Spoofing refers to the action of assuming (i.e., taking on) the identity of some other entity (human or non-human) and then using that identity to accomplish a goal. An adversary may craft messages that appear to come from a different principle or use stolen / spoofed authentication credentials.
CAPEC-194: Fake the Source of Data
An adversary takes advantage of improper authentication to provide data or services under a falsified identity. The purpose of using the falsified identity may be to prevent traceability of the provided data or to assume the rights granted to another individual. One of the simplest forms of this attack would be the creation of an email message with a modified "From" field in order to appear that the message was sent from someone other than the actual sender. The root of the attack (in this case the email system) fails to properly authenticate the source and this results in the reader incorrectly performing the instructed action. Results of the attack vary depending on the details of the attack, but common results include privilege escalation, obfuscation of other attacks, and data corruption/manipulation.
CAPEC-22: Exploiting Trust in Client
An attack of this type exploits vulnerabilities in client/server communication channel authentication and data integrity. It leverages the implicit trust a server places in the client, or more importantly, that which the server believes is the client. An attacker executes this type of attack by communicating directly with the server where the server believes it is communicating only with a valid client. There are numerous variations of this type of attack.
CAPEC-57: Utilizing REST's Trust in the System Resource to Obtain Sensitive Data
This attack utilizes a REST(REpresentational State Transfer)-style applications' trust in the system resources and environment to obtain sensitive data once SSL is terminated.
CAPEC-593: Session Hijacking
This type of attack involves an adversary that exploits weaknesses in an application's use of sessions in performing authentication. The adversary is able to steal or manipulate an active session and use it to gain unathorized access to the application.
CAPEC-633: Token Impersonation
An adversary exploits a weakness in authentication to create an access token (or equivalent) that impersonates a different entity, and then associates a process/thread to that that impersonated token. This action causes a downstream user to make a decision or take action that is based on the assumed identity, and not the response that blocks the adversary.
CAPEC-650: Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server
By exploiting insufficient permissions, it is possible to upload a web shell to a web server in such a way that it can be executed remotely. This shell can have various capabilities, thereby acting as a "gateway" to the underlying web server. The shell might execute at the higher permission level of the web server, providing the ability the execute malicious code at elevated levels.
CAPEC-94: Adversary in the Middle (AiTM)
An adversary targets the communication between two components (typically client and server), in order to alter or obtain data from transactions. A general approach entails the adversary placing themself within the communication channel between the two components.