Fix Improper Assets Management in Sails
Improper Asset Management in Sails.js occurs when the build pipeline (Grunt/Webpack) or the static middleware indiscriminately exposes sensitive files from the 'assets' directory to the '.tmp/public' web root. Attackers leverage this to harvest source maps, environment secrets, or internal configuration files that were lazily dropped into the assets folder during development.
The Vulnerable Pattern
// tasks/config/copy.js
module.exports = function(grunt) {
grunt.config.set('copy', {
dev: {
files: [{
expand: true,
cwd: './assets',
src: ['**/*'], // VULNERABLE: Recursively copies every file, including hidden .env or .git files
dest: '.tmp/public'
}]
}
});
};The Secure Implementation
The vulnerability exists because Sails.js uses an intermediate '.tmp/public' directory to serve static content. If the Grunt 'copy' task uses a wildcard glob like '**/*', it mirrors the entire 'assets' tree without filtering. To remediate, implement an allow-list globbing pattern that only includes necessary frontend assets (CSS, JS, Images). Furthermore, audit 'config/blueprints.js' to ensure that 'shortcuts' and 'actions' are disabled for sensitive models, preventing the framework from automatically exposing data assets via shadow routes.
// tasks/config/copy.js
module.exports = function(grunt) {
grunt.config.set('copy', {
dev: {
files: [{
expand: true,
cwd: './assets',
// SECURE: Use a strict allow-list for file types and explicitly exclude sensitive patterns
src: [
'js/**/*.js',
'styles/**/*.css',
'images/**/*.{png,jpg,jpeg,gif,svg}',
'favicon.ico',
'!**/*.map', // Exclude source maps in production-like environments
'!**/.env', // Prevent accidental secret leakage
'!**/internal/**' // Exclude internal documentation
],
dest: '.tmp/public'
}]
}
});
};
Your Sails API
might be exposed to Improper Assets Management
74% of Sails apps fail this check. Hackers use automated scanners to find this specific flaw. Check your codebase before they do.
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