CVE-2018-3732 in resolve-path
Summary
by MITRE
resolve-path node module before 1.4.0 suffers from a Path Traversal vulnerability due to lack of validation of paths with certain special characters, which allows a malicious user to read content of any file with known path.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The CVE-2018-3732 vulnerability affects the resolve-path node module version 1.4.0 and earlier, presenting a critical path traversal flaw that stems from insufficient input validation. This vulnerability resides in the module's handling of file paths that contain special characters, creating an exploitable condition where malicious users can manipulate the path resolution mechanism to access arbitrary files on the system. The flaw specifically manifests when the module processes paths containing sequences that should be properly sanitized before being used in file system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious paths that bypass normal security boundaries through the exploitation of special characters in file paths. When the resolve-path module processes such inputs without proper validation, it fails to sanitize or normalize the path strings, enabling attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy beyond intended boundaries. This occurs because the module does not adequately check for path manipulation sequences such as double dots or forward slashes that could alter the intended file access location.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to applications that rely on the resolve-path module for file resolution operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, system logs, or even system binaries that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, system compromise, or data exfiltration depending on the application's security context and the files that become accessible through the traversal.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-23 Path Traversal and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to enumerate and access files and directories. Organizations using vulnerable versions of this module should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 1.4.0 or later, implementing proper input validation at all layers of the application, and applying additional security controls such as sandboxing file access operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough code reviews to identify other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in their codebase and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts.