CVE-2017-16133: Directory Traversal in goserv

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Background

The goserv package is an npm package used for local development. It provides functionality for serving files over HTTP. However, it is vulnerable to a directory traversal attack, which allows an attacker to access files outside of the intended directory root. This can lead to the disclosure of private files on the vulnerable system.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in goserv arises from the package's resolution of relative file paths. By manipulating the file path in a GET request, an attacker can traverse directories and access files outside of the intended root directory. For example, an attacker can craft a request to access the '/etc/passwd' file. This can result in the exposure of sensitive information and potentially lead to further exploitation of the system.

Workaround

As there is no patch available, a workaround for this vulnerability is to implement proper input validation and sanitization when handling file paths. This can help prevent directory traversal attacks. Here is an example of how to sanitize file paths in Node.js:

const path = require('path');

function sanitizeFilePath(filePath) {
  const rootDirectory = '/path/to/root'; // Set the root directory to the intended directory root
  const resolvedPath = path.resolve(rootDirectory, filePath);

  if (!resolvedPath.startsWith(rootDirectory)) {
    throw new Error('Invalid file path');
  }

  return resolvedPath;
}

In this example, the sanitizeFilePath function takes a file path and resolves it against the root directory. It then checks if the resolved path starts with the root directory to ensure it stays within the intended boundaries. If the path is deemed invalid, an error is thrown.

Conclusion

The goserv package is vulnerable to a directory traversal attack, which allows an attacker to access files outside of the intended directory root. No patch is available for this vulnerability. It is recommended to only use goserv for local development and switch to a different package for production if the functionality is needed. Implementing proper input validation and sanitization can help mitigate the risk of this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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