Static Web Server vulnerable to a symbolic link path traversal

### Summary Symbolic links (_symlinks_) could be used to access files or directories outside the intended web root folder. ### Details SWS generally does not prevent symlinks from escaping the web server’s root directory. Therefore, if a malicious actor gains access to the web server’s root directory, they could create symlinks to access other files outside the designated web root folder either by URL or via the directory listing. ### PoC - Serve a directory (web root) with SWS. - Create a symlink inside the web root that points to a file outside the web root. e.g. `ln -s escape.txt $HOME/.bashrc` - Open `http://localhost/escape.txt` in your browser. - The file content will be served. ### Impact Any web server that runs with elevated privileges (e.g., root/administrator) and handles user-supplied file uploads is primarily impacted.

Source published

8 Dec 2025 22:18:00 UTC

Source modified

9 Dec 2025 19:36:56 UTC

Observed here

24 Oct 2026 13:19:54 UTC

Source terms

GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0

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This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: osv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS_V4 · CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P

Publisher rating · MODERATE