directory traversal

noun

An attack in which the attacker causes a system to move from an allowed path or directory to one which is meant to be private via path change commands.

Similar
backtracingdirectory climbingdot dot slashpath traversal
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Meanings

noundirectory traversal (countable and uncountable, plural directory traversals)

plural directory traversals

  1. countableuncountableAn attack in which the attacker causes a system to move from an allowed path or directory to one which is meant to be private via path change commands.

    Synonyms: backtracing, directory climbing, dot dot slash, path traversal

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAn attack in which the attacker causes a system to move from an allowed path or directory to one which is meant to be private via path change commands.

Similar
backtracingdirectory climbingdot dot slashpath traversal
Also see
backtracingdirectory climbingdot dot slashpath traversal
Cite this entry
APA

directory traversal. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directory%20traversal

MLA

“directory traversal.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directory%20traversal. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “directory traversal,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/directory%20traversal.

Source: directory traversal on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.