CVE-2026-76844
Description
A flaw was found in webpack-dev-middleware. A remote attacker can exploit a path traversal vulnerability when the configured publicPath lacks a trailing slash. By sending a specially crafted request, the attacker can bypass a security guard, allowing the middleware to resolve files from one directory above the intended output path. This could lead to information disclosure if the middleware is configured to use the physical filesystem.
Statement
A path traversal flaw exists in webpack-dev-middleware when resolving URLs using a publicPath configuration lacking a trailing slash. By supplying a crafted URL with improper dot-dot positioning within a segment, an attacker can bypass the path traversal validation guard and offset calculation. When backed by a physical filesystem (writeToDisk enabled or custom outputFileSystem), this allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to read arbitrary files one directory level above the intended output directory.
Mitigation
Ensure that the configured publicPath always ends with a trailing slash (e.g., '/assets/'), or utilize the default setting ('auto'), which resolves to '/' and is unmitigated by default. Alternatively, avoid backing the middleware with a physical filesystem (writeToDisk: false).
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.6 | N/A | 7.4 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Changed | N/A | Changed |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Frequently Asked Questions
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