Path traversal, also known as directory traversal, is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to access files and directories stored outside the web root folder. By using sequences like ../ (dot-dot-slash), an attacker can move up the directory hierarchy and then descend into restricted areas.
If the application does not validate the $page variable, it might interpret this as an instruction to include a file located several directories above the current one, potentially revealing its content. Why URL Encoding ( -2F )? -include-..-2F..-2F..-2F..-2Froot-2F
Your WAF must decode payloads before inspection. A filter that only looks for ../ will miss -2F or %2F variations. Normalize the input by first replacing -2F with / (and handling %2F similarly) and then removing any .. sequences. Path traversal, also known as directory traversal, is
Look for unusual character sequences in URL parameters, specifically .. , -2F , or %2f . Why URL Encoding ( -2F )
Modern firewalls look for URL-encoded patterns like -2F or %2F combined with dot-dot sequences. They automatically block the request at the network edge before it ever reaches the application code.
If combined with file inclusion vulnerabilities (Local File Inclusion), attackers can execute arbitrary code by targeting log files or session files containing injected malicious code. Mitigation and Defense Strategies
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