CVE-2024-29180: Webpack dev middleware Path Traversal Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wr3j-pwj9-hqq6
CVSS 7.4
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-29180 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.4) path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Webpack dev middleware libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves path traversal in webpack-dev-middleware. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 7.1.0, 6.1.2, 5.3.4.

CVE-2024-29180 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-29180
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wr3j-pwj9-hqq6
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.4
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product Webpack dev middleware
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.4

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2024-29180

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Webpack dev middleware dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

webpack-dev-middleware fixed: 7.1.0
npm install webpack-dev-middleware@7.1.0
webpack-dev-middleware fixed: 6.1.2
npm install webpack-dev-middleware@6.1.2
webpack-dev-middleware fixed: 5.3.4
npm install webpack-dev-middleware@5.3.4
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

npm ls webpack-dev-middleware

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2024-29180, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls webpack-dev-middleware

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Webpack dev middleware in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 7.1.0), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls webpack-dev-middleware command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. In Webpack dev middleware, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Summary _The **webpack-dev-middleware** middleware does not validate the supplied URL address sufficiently before returning the local file. It is possible to access any file on the developer's machine._ ### Details The middleware can either work with the physical filesystem when reading the files or it can use a virtualized in-memory _memfs_ filesystem. If _writeToDisk_ configuration option is set to **true**, the physical filesystem is used: [https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/setupOutputFileSystem.js#L21](https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/setupOutputFileSystem.js#L21) The _**getFilenameFromUrl**_ method is used to parse URL and build the local file path. The public path prefix is stripped from the URL, and the **unsecaped** path suffix is appended to the _outputPath_: [https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/getFilenameFromUrl.js#L82](https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/getFilenameFromUrl.js#L82) As the URL is not unescaped and normalized automatically before calling the midlleware, it is possible to use _%2e_ and _%2f_ sequences to perform path traversal attack. ### PoC _A blank project can be created containing the following configuration file **webpack.config.js**:_ `module.exports = { devServer: { devMiddleware: { writeToDisk: true } } }; ` When started, it is possible to access any local file, e.g. _/etc/passwd_: `$ curl localhost:8080/public/..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f../etc/passwd` ``` root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash daemon:x:1:1:daemon:/usr/sbin:/usr/sbin/nologin bin:x:2:2:bin:/bin:/usr/sbin/nologin sys:x:3:3:sys:/dev:/usr/sbin/nologin sync:x:4:65534:sync:/bin:/bin/sync games:x:5:60:games:/usr/games:/usr/sbin/nologin ``` ### Impact The developers using _webpack-dev-server_ or _webpack-dev-middleware_ are affected by the issue. When the project is started, an attacker might access any file on the developer's machine and exfiltrate the content (e.g. password, configuration files, private source code, ...). If the development server is listening on a public IP address (or **0.0.0.0**), an attacker on the local network can access the local files without any interaction from the victim (direct connection to the port). If the server allows access from third-party domains (CORS, **_Allow-Access-Origin: *_** ), an attacker can send a malicious link to the victim. When visited, the client side script can connect to the local server and exfiltrate the local files. ### Recommendation The URL should be unescaped and normalized before any further processing.

CVE-2024-29180 Affected Webpack dev middleware Versions

3 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
7.1.06.1.25.3.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
webpack-dev-middleware
npm
≥ 7.0.0
< 7.1.0
7.1.0
webpack-dev-middleware
npm
≥ 6.0.0
< 6.1.2
6.1.2
webpack-dev-middleware
npm
< 5.3.4
5.3.4

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-29180?
CVE-2024-29180 is a security vulnerability in Webpack dev middleware involving Path traversal in webpack-dev-middleware under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which Webpack dev middleware versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 7.1.0, 6.1.2, 5.3.4 across affected packages: webpack-dev-middleware.
What version fixes CVE-2024-29180?
Upgrading to 7.1.0, 6.1.2, 5.3.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is webpack-dev-middleware affected?
Yes, webpack-dev-middleware is affected in releases prior to 7.1.0, 6.1.2, 5.3.4. Upgrade your dependency to 7.1.0, 6.1.2, 5.3.4 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-29180?
CVE-2024-29180 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.4 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-29180?
CVE-2024-29180 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2024-29180?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls webpack-dev-middleware'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-wr3j-pwj9-hqq6",
  "modified" : "2024-03-21T18:59:28Z",
  "published" : "2024-03-21T18:59:28Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-29180" ],
  "summary" : "Path traversal in webpack-dev-middleware",
  "details" : "### Summary\n_The **webpack-dev-middleware** middleware does not validate the supplied URL address sufficiently before returning the local file. It is possible to access any file on the developer's machine._\n\n### Details\nThe middleware can either work with the physical filesystem when reading the files or it can use a virtualized in-memory _memfs_ filesystem.\nIf _writeToDisk_ configuration option is set to **true**, the physical filesystem is used:\n[https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/setupOutputFileSystem.js#L21](https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/setupOutputFileSystem.js#L21)\n\nThe _**getFilenameFromUrl**_ method is used to parse URL and build the local file path.\nThe public path prefix is stripped from the URL, and the **unsecaped** path suffix is appended to the _outputPath_:\n[https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/getFilenameFromUrl.js#L82](https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/getFilenameFromUrl.js#L82)\nAs the URL is not unescaped and normalized automatically before calling the midlleware, it is possible to use _%2e_ and _%2f_ sequences to perform path traversal attack.\n\n### PoC\n_A blank project can be created containing the following configuration file **webpack.config.js**:_\n`module.exports = {\n  devServer: {\n    devMiddleware: {\n      writeToDisk: true\n    }\n  }\n};\n`\n\nWhen started, it is possible to access any local file, e.g. _/etc/passwd_:\n`$ curl localhost:8080/public/..%2f..%2f..%2f..%2f../etc/passwd`\n```\nroot:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash\ndaemon:x:1:1:daemon:/usr/sbin:/usr/sbin/nologin\nbin:x:2:2:bin:/bin:/usr/sbin/nologin\nsys:x:3:3:sys:/dev:/usr/sbin/nologin\nsync:x:4:65534:sync:/bin:/bin/sync\ngames:x:5:60:games:/usr/games:/usr/sbin/nologin\n```\n\n### Impact\nThe developers using _webpack-dev-server_ or _webpack-dev-middleware_ are affected by the issue. When the project is started, an attacker might access any file on the developer's machine and exfiltrate the content (e.g. password, configuration files, private source code, ...).\n\nIf the development server is listening on a public IP address (or **0.0.0.0**), an attacker on the local network can access the local files without any interaction from the victim (direct connection to the port).\n\nIf the server allows access from third-party domains (CORS, **_Allow-Access-Origin: *_** ), an attacker can send a malicious link to the victim. When visited, the client side script can connect to the local server and exfiltrate the local files.\n\n### Recommendation\nThe URL should be unescaped and normalized before any further processing.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "webpack-dev-middleware"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "7.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "7.1.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "webpack-dev-middleware"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.1.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "webpack-dev-middleware"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.3.4"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 5.3.3"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/security/advisories/GHSA-wr3j-pwj9-hqq6"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-29180"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/commit/189c4ac7d2344ec132a4689e74dc837ec5be0132"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/commit/9670b3495da518fe667ff3428c5e4cb9f2f3d353"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/commit/e10008c762e4d5821ed6990348dabf0d4d93a10e"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/getFilenameFromUrl.js#L82"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/blob/7ed24e0b9f53ad1562343f9f517f0f0ad2a70377/src/utils/setupOutputFileSystem.js#L21"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/releases/tag/v5.3.4"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/releases/tag/v6.1.2"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/webpack/webpack-dev-middleware/releases/tag/v7.1.0"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-03-21T18:59:28Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-03-21T17:15:09Z"
  }
}