CVE-2023-26152 in static-server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
All versions of the package static-server are vulnerable to Directory Traversal due to improper input sanitization passed via the validPath function of server.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26152 affects the static-server package, a widely used Node.js module for serving static files. This package is commonly employed in development environments and production systems to serve web content without requiring a full web server setup. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the validPath function located in the server.js file, creating a directory traversal attack vector that could allow malicious actors to access files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of file serving applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the static-server package processes user-supplied paths without proper sanitization. The validPath function fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters that are used to construct file paths, enabling attackers to manipulate the path traversal mechanism through specially crafted requests. This allows an attacker to navigate beyond the intended document root directory and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal issue under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector typically involves using sequences like "../" to move up directory levels, potentially accessing sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-26152 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, system compromise, and data exfiltration. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive files such as database credentials, application configuration files, source code repositories, or system configuration data that may contain authentication tokens or other critical information. The vulnerability affects all versions of the static-server package, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet updated their dependencies or those using legacy systems that cannot be easily updated. This issue directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this vulnerability to discover and exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the static-server package where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all systems using this package. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious path traversal attempts. The remediation process should include thorough dependency management practices, automated vulnerability scanning, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the application stack. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that emphasize input validation, proper path handling, and principle of least privilege access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future applications.