CVE-2017-16083 in node-simple-router
Summary
by MITRE
node-simple-router is a minimalistic router for Node. node-simple-router is vulnerable to a directory traversal issue, giving an attacker access to the filesystem by placing "../" in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16083 affects node-simple-router, a lightweight routing library for Node.js applications. This particular implementation suffers from a critical directory traversal flaw that stems from inadequate input validation and path handling within the routing mechanism. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes URL parameters without proper sanitization, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system by injecting "../" sequences into request paths. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw represents a fundamental security oversight in how the router handles user-supplied input, creating an attack surface that directly compromises the application's file system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious URLs containing directory traversal sequences that bypass normal path resolution mechanisms. When the node-simple-router processes these requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL components before using them to access file system resources. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended application directory structure and potentially access sensitive files, configuration data, or system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools. The attack vector is straightforward and can be executed by any user who can make requests to the vulnerable application, making it an attractive target for both automated scanning tools and determined attackers seeking unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16083 extends beyond immediate data theft to encompass broader system compromise and business disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access application configuration files, database credentials, source code repositories, or other sensitive information stored on the server. The vulnerability also enables potential escalation to more serious attacks including remote code execution if the application has sufficient privileges to execute code or if the attacker can leverage additional vulnerabilities present in the system. This type of attack aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering system information and T1059 for executing commands through application layer protocols. Organizations running vulnerable applications face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of data accessed through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16083 should focus on immediate patching of the affected node-simple-router library to the latest secure version that addresses the directory traversal issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within their applications to prevent any user-supplied data from being directly used in file system operations. The implementation of proper path normalization and canonicalization techniques can effectively prevent directory traversal attempts by ensuring that all file system access operations use only the intended paths. Additionally, application-level restrictions should be implemented to limit file system access permissions for the application processes, following the principle of least privilege. Network-level controls including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and blocking known attack vectors. Regular security assessments and dependency audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application ecosystem, ensuring that all third-party libraries are kept up to date with security patches and that proper security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized file system access.