In Unix file system permissions, the "`others`" category refers to all users except the owner of the file system resource and the members of the group assigned to this resource.

Granting permissions to this category can lead to unintended access to files or directories that could allow attackers to obtain sensitive information, disrupt services or elevate privileges.

## Ask Yourself Whether

- The application is designed to be run on a multi-user environment.
- Corresponding files and directories may contain confidential information.

There is a risk if you answered yes to any of those questions.

## Recommended Secure Coding Practices

The most restrictive possible permissions should be assigned to files and directories.

## Sensitive Code Example

    chmod("foo", 0777); // Sensitive

    umask(0); // Sensitive
    umask(0750); // Sensitive

For Symfony Filesystem:

    use Symfony\Component\Filesystem\Filesystem;

    $fs = new Filesystem();
    $fs->chmod("foo", 0777); // Sensitive

For Laravel Filesystem:

    use Illuminate\Filesystem\Filesystem;

    $fs = new Filesystem();
    $fs->chmod("foo", 0777); // Sensitive

## Compliant Solution

    chmod("foo", 0750); // Compliant

    umask(0027); // Compliant

For Symfony Filesystem:

    use Symfony\Component\Filesystem\Filesystem;

    $fs = new Filesystem();
    $fs->chmod("foo", 0750); // Compliant

For Laravel Filesystem:

    use Illuminate\Filesystem\Filesystem;

    $fs = new Filesystem();
    $fs->chmod("foo", 0750); // Compliant

## See

- OWASP - Top 10 2021 Category A1 - Broken Access Control
- OWASP - Top 10 2021 Category A4 - Insecure Design
- OWASP - Top 10 2017 Category A5 - Broken Access Control
- OWASP File Permission
- CWE - CWE-732 - Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
- CWE - CWE-266 - Incorrect Privilege Assignment
- STIG Viewer - Application Security and Development: V-222430 - The application must execute without excessive account permissions.