The file:/// scheme allows a user to "fetch" data from their own computer’s storage as if it were a remote server. This is useful for testing scripts locally or automating tasks that involve reading local system files. Standard: curl file:///etc/passwd
The keyword refers to a URL-encoded representation of the curl command using the file:/// protocol handler. In URL encoding, the character : is represented as %3A and / as %2F . Thus, the string decodes to file:/// , which is the standard URI scheme for accessing files on a local file system. curl-url-file-3A-2F-2F-2F
curl file%3A%2F%2F%2Fetc%2Fpasswd (often used in web-based parameters or logs) The file:/// scheme allows a user to "fetch"
On Windows, the syntax can include drive letters, such as file:///C:/Users/name/file.txt . Security Risks: Arbitrary File Read and SSRF the string decodes to file:///