CVE-2024-55658 in SiYuan
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
SiYuan is a personal knowledge management system. Prior to version 3.1.16, SiYuan's /api/export/exportResources endpoint is vulnerable to arbitary file read via path traversal. It is possible to manipulate the paths parameter to access and download arbitrary files from the host system by traversing the workspace directory structure. Version 3.1.16 contains a patch for the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-55658 affects SiYuan, a personal knowledge management system that allows users to organize and store their information in a structured manner. This critical security flaw exists in versions prior to 3.1.16 and specifically targets the /api/export/exportResources endpoint which is designed to facilitate resource export functionality within the application. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied file paths, creating an exploitable condition that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to perform path traversal attacks by manipulating the paths parameter in the API request. When the application processes user input without proper validation, it becomes possible to navigate beyond the intended workspace directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the host system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses Path Traversal vulnerabilities where insufficient controls are implemented to prevent access to files outside of the intended directory structure. The flaw essentially permits attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy using directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to access files that should remain protected within the application's workspace.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially devastating for users of SiYuan who may have sensitive personal or professional data stored within their knowledge management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access not only the application's configuration files but potentially database files, user credentials, system logs, and other sensitive information that may be stored within the workspace directory. This access could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modification of user content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core functionality of a knowledge management system where users typically store confidential information, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to personal or corporate data.
The remediation for this vulnerability was implemented in version 3.1.16 of SiYuan through proper input validation and path sanitization measures. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing strict validation of the paths parameter to ensure that user input cannot be used to traverse beyond the designated workspace directories. This fix aligns with security best practices recommended in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for credential access and the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage. Organizations using SiYuan should immediately upgrade to version 3.1.16 or later to protect against this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring of API endpoints for suspicious activity and consider implementing additional access controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when applications fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the system's file system operations.