DEPRECATED: Apple '.DS_Store'
This entry has been deprecated because it describes a specific real-world example of a UNIX hard link vulnerability, not a distinct weakness category. For the core issue, please refer to CWE-62: UNIX Hard Link.
The Apple '.DS_Store' file issue was a specific instance where a common system file could be exploited via hard links to access unauthorized directories or files. This demonstrated how predictable file locations and insufficient link validation could lead to information disclosure, but it's fundamentally an example of the broader hard link weakness pattern. As a result, this entry was consolidated under CWE-62, which covers the root cause: improper handling of hard links in UNIX-like systems that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Developers should focus on the general mitigation strategies for hard link vulnerabilities, such as securely creating temporary files and validating file system object relationships, rather than this single historical example.