How it was found

I would like to report path traversal vulnerability in module "http_server" It allows an attacker to read any files even system files via this path traversal vulnerability.

Module

module name: http_server version: 1.0.12 npm page: https://www.npmjs.com/package/http_server

Module Description

一个静态服务器 means "a static server"

Module Stats

[14] downloads in the last week [116] downloads in the last month

Vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

Path traversal attack (also known as directory traversal) aims to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder. By manipulating variables that reference files with “dot-dot-slash (../)” sequences and its variations or by using absolute file paths, it may be possible to access arbitrary files and directories stored on file system including application source code or configuration and critical system files.

Steps To Reproduce:

• Install the module

npm install -g http_server

• Run 'http_server in "~/Desktop" directory :

root@kali:~/Desktop# http_server
server running is :http://localhost:8888

{F489688}

• Use cURL to access etc/passwd file:

$ curl --path-as-is --url 'http://localhost:8888/../../../../../etc/passwd'

{F489687}

Patch

User input should be properly sanitized and filtered to remove dot-dot-slash (../)” sequences and its variations in path.

Supporting Material/References:

• Linux kali 4.15.0-kali2-amd64
• node 10.15.3
• npm 6.9
• Firefox ESR 52.7.3 (64-bit)

Wrap up

• I contacted the maintainer to let them know: N
• I opened an issue in the related repository: N

Impact

It could have enabled an attacker to view system files and leverage attacks like remote code execution and so on.