GHSA-2238-xc5r-v9hj
@tinacms/graphql has a Path Traversal issue
Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | @tinacms/graphql | < 2.1.2 | 2.1.2 |
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
### Description
TinaCMS allows users to create, update, and delete content documents using relative file paths (`relativePath`, `newRelativePath`) via GraphQL mutations. Under certain conditions, these paths are combined with the collection path using `path.join()` without validating that the resolved path remains within the collection root directory.
Because `path.join()` does not prevent directory traversal, paths containing `../` sequences can escape the intended directory boundary.
### Attack Vectors
1. **File Creation**: Create files outside the collection directory
```graphql
createDocument(
collection: "post"
relativePath: "../../config/malicious.md"
params: { post: { title: "malicious" } }
)
```
2. **File Move/Rename**: Move existing files outside the collection
```graphql
updateDocument(
collection: "post"
relativePath: "existing.md"
params: { relativePath: "../../stolen.md" }
)
```
3. **File Deletion**: Delete files outside the collection
```graphql
deleteDocument(
collection: "post"
relativePath: "../../important-config.md"
)
```
4. **Folder Creation**: Create folders outside the collection
```graphql
createFolder(
collection: "post"
relativePath: "../../malicious-folder"
)
```
## Impact
An authenticated user with document mutation permissions can:
- **Create content files** outside collection boundaries (subject to schema validation)
- **Move or rename files** outside collection boundaries
- **Delete content files** outside collection boundaries
- **Read file contents** via document retrieval mutations
## Mitigating Factors
Several constraints limit the practical impact of this vulnerability:
1. **Schema Validation**: Created/updated content must conform to the collection's GraphQL schema. Attackers cannot write arbitrary file content—the `params` argument is validated against the generated mutation types (e.g., `PostMutation`).
2. **Authentication Required**: Exploitation requires authenticated access with CMS editor permissions. Anonymous users cannot access GraphQL mutations.
3. **Git Tracking**: In typical deployments, all file operations are tracked in git (either via GitHub API for Tina Cloud/self-hosted with GitProvider, or local filesystem changes). Malicious changes are visible in version control and can be reverted.
### What This Vulnerability Does NOT Allow
- Writing arbitrary file content (content is schema-validated)
- Silent/untracked file modifications (changes appear in git)
- Unauthenticated access
## Proof of Concept
See `packages/@tinacms/graphql/tests/path-traversal-security/index.test.ts` for automated tests demonstrating the vulnerability.
Manual reproduction:
```bash
node -e "
const path = require('path');
const collectionPath = 'content/posts';
const maliciousRelativePath = '../../OUTSIDE/poc.md';
const realPath = path.join(collectionPath, maliciousRelativePath);
console.log('Resolved path:', realPath);
// Output: OUTSIDE/poc.md (escaped content/posts)
"
```
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.