.NET Path Traversal Guide: Examples and Prevention

Path traversal attacks exploit flawed server-side access controls to gain unauthorized access to restricted files by injecting malicious input, similar to directory-based SQL injection. The article, aimed at .NET developers, explains how such vulnerabilities can be mitigated through techniques like user input validation, safelisting, and path concatenation. Examples of attacks, such as relative path and poison null bytes, illustrate the simplicity and danger of such exploits, emphasizing the importance of robust security measures. Despite the sophistication of technology, the article underscores the necessity of thoroughness and creativity in enforcing path traversal security policies. Written by Juan Reyes, the piece draws on his diverse experiences to address broader themes of passion, self-development, and resilience.