Directory traversal attacks are effective because they make use of one or more characteristics that are either FILE ATTRIBUTE NORMAL or FILE ATTRIBUTE HIDDEN. When a user opens a file or folder, the operating system will check to see if the attribute is set to one of the valid values. If it is not, the user will receive an error message. In the event that it is not, the system will make an effort to assign the attribute the appropriate value. If the attack is successful, the adversary will have access to files and folders that they would not have had access to if the attribute were set to the authorized value. This access will only be possible if the attack is successful.