fix(backup): resolve symlinks and add the all-in-one frontend dir to the destination guard

Codex round 3 found two more bypasses of the public-root guard,
both specific to the all-in-one image (Dockerfile.aio):

- /app/frontend/dist (FRONTEND_DIR) ships nodejs-owned and is
  served unauthenticated as the built SPA -- missing from the
  protected-roots list.
- /app/storage is a symlink to /data/storage (the actual
  STORAGE_PATH). A destination given as /app/storage/uploads/logos
  passed the guard's lexical path.resolve() comparison while
  resolving, on disk, to the exact same directory as the protected
  STORAGE_PATH/uploads/logos. isUnderPubliclyServableRoot now
  resolves symlinks in whatever prefix of each path already
  exists (resolveRealish) before comparing, rather than relying on
  path.resolve() alone.

Also restores three fs.mkdir spies in the test file that were
never un-spied, which silently leaked a rejected mock into any
later test doing a real fs.mkdir -- exactly what the new symlink
test needed to set up its fixture.

Found by codex review, round 3.

.release-please-manifest.json

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{".":"3.46.10"}
+{".":"3.46.11"}

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ All notable changes to PicPeak will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [3.46.11](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/compare/v3.46.10...v3.46.11) (2026-09-08)
+
+
+### Documentation
+
+* align stable security and backport policy ([#1352](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/issues/1352)) ([143c403](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/commit/143c4035ec38683634d0e3d493032e2965f4a46f))
+
 ## [3.46.10](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/compare/v3.46.9...v3.46.10) (2026-09-07)
 
 

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -163,13 +163,14 @@ PicPeak runs on two long-lived branches:
 | Branch | Role | What targets it |
 |---|---|---|
 | **`main`** | Active development. The next release is being assembled here. | Feature PRs. Most bugfix PRs. |
-| **`stable`** | Curated release channel. Production-recommended. | Urgent bugfix backports only — small, surgical PRs that land cleanly without dragging in unrelated changes. |
+| **`stable`** | Curated release channel. Production-recommended. | Security fixes and regular bugfix backports, kept small and free of unrelated features. |
 
 ### Which branch should my PR target?
 
 - **New feature** → target `main`.
 - **Bugfix that ONLY affects active dev** → target `main`.
-- **Bugfix that current stable users need** → open a small PR against `main`, AND a separate small PR against `stable` with the same change. Keep both surgical so each lands cleanly.
+- **Bugfix that current stable users need** → target `main`; regular bug fixes are generally backported automatically to `stable`. Maintainers handle conflicts or create a separate focused backport PR when needed.
+- **Security vulnerability** → report privately using [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md). Security fixes are always released on both `stable` and `main`; coordinate any fix with the maintainers before opening a public PR.
 
 **Hard rule on PR scope**: bugfix PRs against `stable` must be small enough to backport without conflict. Omnibus PRs (e.g. five unrelated sub-features) are fine for `main`, but never for `stable` — they make the next `main → stable` merge painful and break the "stable is always shippable" invariant.
 
@@ -187,6 +188,6 @@ See [RELEASING.md](RELEASING.md) for the full operational doc (promotion criteri
 
 - Create an [issue](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/issues) for bugs or features
 - Join [discussions](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/discussions) for questions
-- Security issues: Open a [security issue](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/issues/new?labels=security) on GitHub
+- Security vulnerabilities: Follow the [security policy](SECURITY.md) and use [private vulnerability reporting](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/security/advisories/new)
 
-Thank you for contributing! 🎉
+Thank you for contributing! 🎉

RELEASING.md

@@ -62,13 +62,18 @@ The actual mechanics, in order:
 
 ## Hotfix path (backport to current stable)
 
-If a critical bug or security issue affects the current stable and `main` has moved too far for a full promotion to be appropriate, backport just the fix:
+Regular bug fixes are generally backported automatically from `main` to `stable`. Keep backports focused on the fix, without unrelated features, and resolve conflicts manually when needed.
+
+**Security fixes are always released on both `stable` and `main`.** Do not wait for a full promotion to deliver a security update. A fix first applied to `stable` must also be forward-ported to `main`; a fix first applied to `main` must also reach `stable`. See [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) for the support policy.
+
+When a backport needs manual handling:
 
 1. Create a `security/cve-backport-X.Y.Z` or `fix/critical-X.Y.Z` branch off `stable`.
 2. Cherry-pick or hand-write the minimal fix.
 3. Open a PR to `stable` with the smallest possible diff.
 4. After merge, release-please will propose a patch-level stable release (e.g. `v3.55.1`).
 5. **Forward-port the fix to `main`** if it isn't already there. Otherwise the next full promotion will reintroduce the bug.
+6. For security fixes, verify that the fix has been published through **both** release channels; merging the code is only part of delivery.
 
 PR #412 ("backport 18 dependency CVE patches from beta") is a worked example of this path (predates the rename; the mechanics are unchanged).
 

SECURITY.md

@@ -1,88 +1,81 @@
 # Security Policy
 
+## Scope
+
+This policy covers the PicPeak backend, frontend, all-in-one (AIO) image, optional
+ML component, and the Docker images published by the PicPeak project. Other
+PicPeak repositories define their own supported versions and release channels.
+
 ## Supported Versions
 
-We release patches for security vulnerabilities. Currently supported versions:
+Security support follows the current release channels:
 
-| Version | Supported          |
-| ------- | ------------------ |
-| 2.x.x   | :white_check_mark: |
-| < 2.0   | :x:                |
+| Version or channel | Security support |
+| --- | --- |
+| Latest stable release from `stable` | Supported; security fixes are published through this channel |
+| Latest beta release from `main` | Supported; security fixes are published through this channel |
+| Superseded stable or beta releases | Upgrade to the latest release in the same channel; older releases are not maintained separately |
+| 2.x and earlier | No longer supported |
+
+See the [latest stable release](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/releases/latest)
+and [all releases, including betas](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/releases).
+Version numbers differ between channels; each channel receives its own updates.
+
+### Security fixes and bug backports
+
+**Security fixes are always released on both `stable` and `main`.** A fix that
+lands on one branch must also reach the other branch and be published through
+both release channels. Security updates do not wait for the next full
+`main`-to-`stable` promotion.
+
+Regular bug fixes are also generally backported automatically to `stable`.
+Backports remain focused on the fix, without pulling in unrelated features.
+Maintainers resolve conflicts or handle a backport manually when necessary.
+
+The [release process](RELEASING.md) describes backports, forward-ports and
+publication. Operators must apply the published updates to their installations.
 
 ## Reporting a Vulnerability
 
-We take the security of PicPeak seriously. If you have discovered a security vulnerability, please follow these steps:
+**Do not report vulnerabilities in public issues, discussions or pull requests.**
 
-### 1. **Do NOT create a public GitHub issue**
+Report privately through:
 
-### 2. Report the vulnerability privately by:
-- **Preferred:** Use [GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/security/advisories/new)
-- **Alternative:** Email us at **info@picpeak.app** with the details
-- Include:
-  - Description of the vulnerability
-  - Steps to reproduce
-  - Potential impact
-  - Suggested fix (if any)
+- [GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/security/advisories/new) (preferred).
+- Email **info@picpeak.app** if you cannot use GitHub's private reporting form.
 
-### 3. You can expect:
-- Acknowledgment within 48 hours
-- Regular updates on our progress
-- Credit in the fix announcement (unless you prefer to remain anonymous)
+Include the affected component, version or image tag, deployment method,
+reproduction steps, expected impact and any suggested fix. Share only the
+information needed to reproduce the problem; remove credentials and personal
+data from logs or examples.
 
-## Security Measures
+We aim to acknowledge reports within 48 hours. This is a response target, not a
+guaranteed service level or a promised resolution time. We will provide progress
+updates and coordinate disclosure with the reporter. Reporter credit is optional;
+tell us if you prefer to remain anonymous.
 
-PicPeak implements several security measures:
+## Deployment Security
 
-### Authentication & Authorization
-- JWT-based authentication with secure token storage
-- bcrypt password hashing with configurable rounds
-- Role-based access control for admin functions
-- Session timeout management
+Security depends on both the software and its configuration. Operators should:
 
-### Input Validation
-- All user inputs are validated and sanitized
-- SQL injection prevention through parameterized queries
-- XSS protection via Content Security Policy
-- File upload restrictions and validation
+- Use HTTPS and configure the reverse proxy and trusted proxy settings correctly.
+- Use strong credentials and keep deployment secrets private.
+- Apply updates for the chosen release channel and restrict unnecessary network access.
+- Keep backups and verify that they can be restored.
 
-### Rate Limiting
-- API rate limiting to prevent abuse
-- Brute force protection on authentication endpoints
-- Configurable limits per endpoint
-
-### Data Protection
-- HTTPS enforcement in production
-- Secure cookie settings
-- CORS configuration
-- Sensitive data encryption
-
-### Infrastructure
-- Regular dependency updates
-- Security headers (HSTS, X-Frame-Options, etc.)
-- Activity logging for audit trails
-- Automated backups
-
-## Best Practices for Deployment
-
-1. **Always use HTTPS** in production
-2. **Change default passwords** immediately
-3. **Keep dependencies updated** regularly
-4. **Configure firewall rules** appropriately
-5. **Monitor logs** for suspicious activity
-6. **Backup regularly** and test restoration
+See the deployment guides for [HTTPS](https://docs.picpeak.app/deployment/ssl-certificates),
+[reverse proxies](https://docs.picpeak.app/deployment/reverse-proxy),
+[security settings](https://docs.picpeak.app/guides/admin-settings/security)
+and [backup and restore](https://docs.picpeak.app/guides/backup-restore).
 
 ## Vulnerability Disclosure
 
-We believe in responsible disclosure. Once a vulnerability is fixed:
+We coordinate disclosure with the reporter while preparing fixes. Security fixes
+are published through both supported channels. Advisories and release notes
+identify affected versions, the fixed version in each channel, the impact and
+any required mitigation or upgrade steps. Reporter credit is included with
+permission.
 
-1. We'll publish a security advisory
-2. Credit researchers (with permission)
-3. Detail the impact and mitigation steps
-4. Release patches for all supported versions
-
-## Contact
-
-- Security issues: Email **info@picpeak.app** or use [GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/security/advisories/new)
-- General support: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/issues)
-
-Thank you for helping keep PicPeak and its users safe!
+For ordinary bugs and support requests, use
+[GitHub Issues](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/issues) or
+[GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/PicPeak/picpeak/discussions).

backend/__tests__/routes/databaseBackupConfigDestination.test.js

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+/**
+ * PUT /api/admin/database-backup/config must reject a
+ * database_backup_destination_path that resolves inside a publicly served
+ * directory (GHSA-jw8m-43r2-jqrm class, #1365).
+ *
+ * Before #1365, database_backup_destination_path was silently ignored by
+ * databaseBackupService.backup() (a destructuring bug always fell back to
+ * the hardcoded /backup/database), so this setting being freely writable by
+ * any backup.create holder — the built-in `admin` role has it without
+ * settings.edit or backup.restore — was harmless. Making the setting
+ * actually take effect reopens the exact exfiltration path GHSA-jw8m fixed
+ * for the per-request override, through the persisted setting instead.
+ */
+
+const path = require('path');
+const fs = require('fs');
+const os = require('os');
+
+process.env.NODE_ENV = 'test';
+process.env.TEST_DATABASE_PATH = path.join(
+  fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'picpeak-dbbackup-config-')), 'db.sqlite',
+);
+process.env.JWT_SECRET = process.env.JWT_SECRET || 'dbbackup-config-test-secret';
+process.env.STORAGE_PATH = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'picpeak-dbbackup-storage-'));
+
+const request = require('supertest');
+const express = require('express');
+const bcrypt = require('bcrypt');
+const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
+
+const { bootCrmDb, seedMinimal } = require('../integration/helpers/crmDb');
+
+describe('database backup destination-path config guard (GHSA-jw8m class, #1365)', () => {
+  let db; let cleanup; let app; let adminToken;
+
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    ({ db, cleanup } = await bootCrmDb());
+    await seedMinimal(db);
+
+    const role = await db('roles').where({ name: 'admin' }).first();
+    const r = await db('admin_users').insert({
+      username: 'limited-admin',
+      email: 'limited-admin-config@example.com',
+      password_hash: await bcrypt.hash('Passw0rd!', 4),
+      role_id: role.id,
+      is_active: 1,
+      created_at: new Date(),
+      updated_at: new Date(),
+    }).returning('id');
+    const id = r[0]?.id ?? r[0];
+    adminToken = jwt.sign(
+      { id, username: 'limited-admin', type: 'admin', role: 'admin', loginTime: Date.now() },
+      process.env.JWT_SECRET,
+      { expiresIn: '1h', issuer: 'picpeak-auth' },
+    );
+
+    app = express();
+    app.use(express.json());
+    app.use('/api/admin/database-backup', require('../../src/routes/adminDatabaseBackup'));
+  }, 120000);
+
+  afterAll(async () => { if (cleanup) await cleanup(); });
+
+  it('rejects a destination inside the public uploads/logos mount', async () => {
+    const res = await request(app)
+      .put('/api/admin/database-backup/config')
+      .set('Authorization', `Bearer ${adminToken}`)
+      .send({ database_backup_destination_path: path.join(process.env.STORAGE_PATH, 'uploads', 'logos') });
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+
+    // The seeded default must survive untouched — the rejected value never lands.
+    const row = await db('app_settings').where({ setting_key: 'database_backup_destination_path' }).first();
+    expect(JSON.parse(row.setting_value)).toBe('/backup/database');
+  });
+
+  it('rejects a destination inside the public fonts mount', async () => {
+    const res = await request(app)
+      .put('/api/admin/database-backup/config')
+      .set('Authorization', `Bearer ${adminToken}`)
+      .send({ database_backup_destination_path: path.join(process.env.STORAGE_PATH, 'fonts') });
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it('accepts a destination outside any public mount', async () => {
+    const safePath = path.join(process.env.STORAGE_PATH, 'db-backups');
+    const res = await request(app)
+      .put('/api/admin/database-backup/config')
+      .set('Authorization', `Bearer ${adminToken}`)
+      .send({ database_backup_destination_path: safePath });
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+
+    const row = await db('app_settings').where({ setting_key: 'database_backup_destination_path' }).first();
+    expect(JSON.parse(row.setting_value)).toBe(safePath);
+  });
+
+  // A retention of 0 or less pushes cleanupOldBackups' cutoff to today or
+  // the future, deleting every completed backup on the next scheduled run
+  // — a backup.create holder achieving what backup.delete gates on /cleanup.
+  it.each([-1, 0])('rejects database_backup_retention_days=%s', async (bad) => {
+    const res = await request(app)
+      .put('/api/admin/database-backup/config')
+      .set('Authorization', `Bearer ${adminToken}`)
+      .send({ database_backup_retention_days: bad });
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it('accepts a positive database_backup_retention_days', async () => {
+    const res = await request(app)
+      .put('/api/admin/database-backup/config')
+      .set('Authorization', `Bearer ${adminToken}`)
+      .send({ database_backup_retention_days: 90 });
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+
+    const row = await db('app_settings').where({ setting_key: 'database_backup_retention_days' }).first();
+    expect(JSON.parse(row.setting_value)).toBe(90);
+  });
+});

backend/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "picpeak-backend",
-  "version": "3.46.10",
+  "version": "3.46.11",
   "description": "Backend for PicPeak event photo sharing platform",
   "main": "server.js",
   "engines": {

backend/src/routes/adminDatabaseBackup.js

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ const express = require('express');
 const router = express.Router();
 const { adminAuth } = require('../middleware/auth');
 const { requirePermission } = require('../middleware/permissions');
-const { databaseBackupService } = require('../services/databaseBackup');
+const { databaseBackupService, isUnderPubliclyServableRoot } = require('../services/databaseBackup');
 const { db } = require('../database/db');
 const logger = require('../utils/logger');
 const { getPagination } = require('../utils/routeHelpers');
@@ -60,7 +60,28 @@ router.put('/config', requirePermission('backup.create'), async (req, res) => {
       'database_backup_email_on_failure',
       'database_backup_email_on_success'
     ];
-    
+
+    // A backup.create holder (the built-in `admin` role has it without
+    // settings.edit or backup.restore) could otherwise point backups at a
+    // public static mount and fetch the dump unauthenticated — see
+    // isUnderPubliclyServableRoot's comment (GHSA-jw8m-43r2-jqrm class).
+    if (
+      typeof req.body.database_backup_destination_path === 'string'
+      && isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(req.body.database_backup_destination_path)
+    ) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Destination path must not be inside a publicly served directory' });
+    }
+
+    // A retention of 0 or less pushes cleanupOldBackups' cutoff to today or
+    // the future, deleting every completed backup on the next scheduled run
+    // — a backup.create holder achieving what backup.delete gates on /cleanup.
+    if (
+      req.body.database_backup_retention_days !== undefined
+      && (!Number.isFinite(req.body.database_backup_retention_days) || req.body.database_backup_retention_days < 1)
+    ) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'database_backup_retention_days must be a positive number' });
+    }
+
     const updates = [];
     
     for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(req.body)) {

backend/src/services/__tests__/databaseBackup.test.js

@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-const { DatabaseBackupService } = require('../databaseBackup');
 const { db } = require('../../database/db');
 const fs = require('fs').promises;
 const path = require('path');
@@ -9,6 +8,10 @@ jest.mock('../../database/db');
 jest.mock('../../utils/logger');
 jest.mock('../emailProcessor');
 jest.mock('child_process');
+jest.mock('node-cron', () => ({ schedule: jest.fn(() => ({ stop: jest.fn() })) }));
+
+const { DatabaseBackupService, startScheduledBackups, databaseBackupService, isUnderPubliclyServableRoot } = require('../databaseBackup');
+const cron = require('node-cron');
 
 describe('DatabaseBackupService', () => {
   let service;
@@ -188,6 +191,213 @@ describe('DatabaseBackupService', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('backup() destination path resolution (#1365)', () => {
+    // getBackupConfig() returns database_backup_*-prefixed keys.
+    // Regression: backup() used to destructure the unprefixed names
+    // (`destinationPath`, ...) straight off that object, which never
+    // matched, so the configured path was silently ignored and every
+    // run tried to create the hardcoded /backup/database default.
+    it('creates the directory from database_backup_destination_path when configured', async () => {
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_destination_path', setting_value: JSON.stringify('/data/db-backups') }
+        ])
+      });
+
+      const stop = new Error('stop after mkdir — nothing past it matters for this test');
+      const mkdirSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'mkdir').mockRejectedValue(stop);
+
+      await expect(service.backup({})).rejects.toThrow(stop.message);
+
+      expect(mkdirSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/data/db-backups', { recursive: true });
+      mkdirSpy.mockRestore();
+    });
+
+    it('falls back to /backup/database only when nothing is configured', async () => {
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([])
+      });
+
+      const stop = new Error('stop after mkdir');
+      const mkdirSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'mkdir').mockRejectedValue(stop);
+
+      await expect(service.backup({})).rejects.toThrow(stop.message);
+
+      expect(mkdirSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/backup/database', { recursive: true });
+      mkdirSpy.mockRestore();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('isUnderPubliclyServableRoot (GHSA-jw8m class, #1365)', () => {
+    const originalStoragePath = process.env.STORAGE_PATH;
+    const storage = '/tmp/picpeak-test-storage';
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      process.env.STORAGE_PATH = storage;
+    });
+
+    afterAll(() => {
+      if (originalStoragePath === undefined) {
+        delete process.env.STORAGE_PATH;
+      } else {
+        process.env.STORAGE_PATH = originalStoragePath;
+      }
+    });
+
+    it.each([
+      path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'logos'),
+      path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'logos', 'sub'),
+      path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'favicons'),
+      path.join(storage, 'fonts'),
+      path.join(storage, 'fonts', 'inter'),
+      // Bundled fallback fonts — nodejs-owned per the Dockerfile's
+      // COPY --chown, and served at the same public /fonts route.
+      path.resolve(__dirname, '../../../assets/fonts'),
+      // Case-insensitive-but-preserving filesystems (APFS, NTFS, Docker
+      // Desktop bind mounts of either) resolve this to the same directory
+      // as uploads/logos even though path.resolve() never folds case.
+      path.join(storage, 'UPLOADS', 'Logos')
+    ])('flags %s as publicly servable', (candidate) => {
+      expect(isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(candidate)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it.each([
+      path.join(storage, 'backups'),
+      path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'contracts', 'signed'),
+      path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'transfers', '123'),
+      '/data/db-backups'
+    ])('does not flag %s', (candidate) => {
+      expect(isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(candidate)).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('backup() refuses a destination inside a publicly servable root without ever calling mkdir', async () => {
+      const publicPath = path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'logos');
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_destination_path', setting_value: JSON.stringify(publicPath) }
+        ])
+      });
+
+      const mkdirSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'mkdir');
+
+      await expect(service.backup({})).rejects.toThrow('publicly served directory');
+
+      expect(mkdirSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      mkdirSpy.mockRestore();
+    });
+
+    it('flags FRONTEND_DIR — the all-in-one image serves its built SPA unauthenticated', () => {
+      const originalFrontendDir = process.env.FRONTEND_DIR;
+      process.env.FRONTEND_DIR = '/app/frontend/dist';
+      try {
+        expect(isUnderPubliclyServableRoot('/app/frontend/dist')).toBe(true);
+        expect(isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(path.join('/app/frontend/dist', 'assets'))).toBe(true);
+      } finally {
+        if (originalFrontendDir === undefined) delete process.env.FRONTEND_DIR;
+        else process.env.FRONTEND_DIR = originalFrontendDir;
+      }
+    });
+
+    it('resolves a symlinked alias of a public root to the same real directory (all-in-one /app/storage -> /data/storage)', async () => {
+      const os = require('os');
+      const realRoot = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'picpeak-real-'));
+      const linkRoot = path.join(os.tmpdir(), `picpeak-link-${process.pid}-${Date.now()}`);
+      await fs.mkdir(path.join(realRoot, 'uploads', 'logos'), { recursive: true });
+      await fs.symlink(realRoot, linkRoot, 'dir');
+
+      try {
+        // STORAGE_PATH (what the guard's roots are built from) is the real
+        // path; the attacker-supplied destination goes through the symlink
+        // — exactly the all-in-one image's /app/storage -> /data/storage.
+        process.env.STORAGE_PATH = realRoot;
+        const aliased = path.join(linkRoot, 'uploads', 'logos');
+
+        expect(isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(aliased)).toBe(true);
+      } finally {
+        await fs.unlink(linkRoot);
+        await fs.rm(realRoot, { recursive: true, force: true });
+      }
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('startScheduledBackups (#1365)', () => {
+    // Same key-mismatch bug as backup(): getBackupConfig() returns
+    // database_backup_*-prefixed keys, but this read `config.enabled` /
+    // `config.schedule` / `config.retentionDays` — always undefined, so
+    // the scheduler silently treated every install as disabled.
+    it('does not start the schedule while database_backup_enabled is false', async () => {
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_enabled', setting_value: 'false' }
+        ])
+      });
+
+      await startScheduledBackups();
+
+      expect(cron.schedule).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('starts the schedule with the configured cron when database_backup_enabled is true', async () => {
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_enabled', setting_value: 'true' },
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_schedule', setting_value: JSON.stringify('0 4 * * *') }
+        ])
+      });
+
+      await startScheduledBackups();
+
+      expect(cron.schedule).toHaveBeenCalledWith('0 4 * * *', expect.any(Function));
+    });
+
+    it('re-reads retention on every tick instead of the value captured at schedule start (#1365)', async () => {
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_enabled', setting_value: 'true' },
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_retention_days', setting_value: JSON.stringify(30) }
+        ])
+      });
+
+      await startScheduledBackups();
+      const tick = cron.schedule.mock.calls[0][1];
+
+      // A /config update between schedule-start and this tick raised
+      // retention to 365 — the closed-over 30 must not be what runs.
+      db.mockReturnValue({
+        where: jest.fn().mockReturnThis(),
+        select: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_enabled', setting_value: 'true' },
+          { setting_key: 'database_backup_retention_days', setting_value: JSON.stringify(365) }
+        ])
+      });
+      jest.spyOn(databaseBackupService, 'backup').mockResolvedValue({ success: true });
+      const cleanupSpy = jest.spyOn(databaseBackupService, 'cleanupOldBackups').mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+      await tick();
+
+      expect(cleanupSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(365);
+
+      jest.restoreAllMocks();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('cleanupOldBackups destructive-retention guard (#1365)', () => {
+    it.each([-1, 0, NaN, Infinity])('refuses retentionDays=%s without touching the database', async (bad) => {
+      const dbSpy = jest.fn();
+      db.mockImplementation(dbSpy);
+
+      await service.cleanupOldBackups(bad);
+
+      expect(dbSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+  });
+
   describe('cleanupOldBackups', () => {
     it('should delete old backup files and records', async () => {
       const oldBackups = [

backend/src/services/backupService.js

@@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ function buildManifestFiles(backedUpFiles, allFiles) {
 
 async function saveManifestToLocal(manifest, manifestFileName, config) {
   const manifestDir = config.backup_manifest_path
-    || path.join(config.backup_destination_path || '/backup', 'manifests');
+    || path.join(config.backup_destination_path || path.join(getStoragePath(), 'backups'), 'manifests');
   await fs.mkdir(manifestDir, { recursive: true });
   const manifestPath = path.join(manifestDir, manifestFileName);
   await backupManifest.saveManifest(manifest, manifestPath, config.backup_manifest_format || 'json');

backend/src/services/databaseBackup.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const crypto = require('crypto');
 const { spawnAsync, spawnToFile } = require('../utils/safeExec');
 const zlib = require('zlib');
 const { pipeline } = require('stream/promises');
-const { createReadStream, createWriteStream } = require('fs');
+const { createReadStream, createWriteStream, realpathSync } = require('fs');
 const { db } = require('../database/db');
 const knexConfig = require('../../knexfile');
 const logger = require('../utils/logger');
@@ -16,6 +16,76 @@ const packageJson = require('../../package.json');
 const CHUNK_SIZE = 1024 * 1024; // 1MB chunks for streaming
 const PROGRESS_INTERVAL = 100; // Report progress every 100 rows
 
+function getStoragePath() {
+  return process.env.STORAGE_PATH || path.join(__dirname, '../../../storage');
+}
+
+// Public, unauthenticated static mounts (server.js) that must never become a
+// backup destination — a dump landing there is downloadable by anyone who
+// learns or guesses the filename, GHSA-jw8m-43r2-jqrm's exact class. Before
+// #1365, `database_backup_destination_path` was silently ignored (a
+// destructuring bug always fell back to the hardcoded /backup/database), so
+// this setting being freely writable by any backup.create holder — the
+// built-in `admin` role has it without settings.edit or backup.restore — was
+// harmless. Making the setting actually take effect reopens that exact
+// exfiltration path unless it's rejected here too.
+function getPubliclyServableRoots() {
+  const storage = getStoragePath();
+  return [
+    path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'logos'),
+    path.join(storage, 'uploads', 'favicons'),
+    path.join(storage, 'fonts'),
+    // Bundled fallback fonts (server.js mounts both at /fonts, storage wins
+    // on overlap but express.static falls through to this one on a miss).
+    // COPY --chown=nodejs:nodejs in the Dockerfile makes this nodejs-owned
+    // and therefore writable at runtime, not just a read-only image layer.
+    path.resolve(__dirname, '../../assets/fonts'),
+    // The all-in-one image's built frontend bundle (Dockerfile.aio ships it
+    // nodejs-owned) — server.js serves it unauthenticated as the SPA itself.
+    process.env.FRONTEND_DIR || path.resolve(__dirname, '../../../frontend/dist')
+  ];
+}
+
+// Resolves symlinks in whatever prefix of candidatePath currently exists,
+// then re-appends any not-yet-created remainder literally. A plain
+// fs.realpathSync would throw ENOENT for the common case where the backup
+// destination doesn't exist yet; a plain path.resolve() would miss the
+// all-in-one image's `/app/storage -> /data/storage` symlink (Dockerfile.aio),
+// which lets `/app/storage/uploads/logos` alias the real public logos
+// directory under a name that never lexically matches it.
+function resolveRealish(candidatePath) {
+  let current = path.resolve(candidatePath);
+  const remainder = [];
+  for (;;) {
+    try {
+      const real = realpathSync(current);
+      return remainder.length ? path.join(real, ...remainder) : real;
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (error.code !== 'ENOENT') {
+        return path.resolve(candidatePath);
+      }
+      const parent = path.dirname(current);
+      if (parent === current) {
+        return path.resolve(candidatePath);
+      }
+      remainder.unshift(path.basename(current));
+      current = parent;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(candidatePath) {
+  // Lowercased comparison: on a case-insensitive-but-preserving filesystem
+  // (default macOS APFS, NTFS, and Docker Desktop's bind-mount passthrough
+  // of either) `STORAGE_PATH/UPLOADS/logos` and `.../uploads/logos` name the
+  // same directory on disk even though path.resolve() never folds case.
+  const resolved = resolveRealish(candidatePath).toLowerCase();
+  return getPubliclyServableRoots().some((root) => {
+    const resolvedRoot = resolveRealish(root).toLowerCase();
+    return resolved === resolvedRoot || resolved.startsWith(resolvedRoot + path.sep);
+  });
+}
+
 /**
  * Database Backup Service
  * Supports both SQLite and PostgreSQL with proper escaping,
@@ -296,15 +366,33 @@ class DatabaseBackupService {
     let backupRun = null;
     
     try {
-      // Get configuration
+      // Get configuration. getBackupConfig() returns the raw
+      // database_backup_*-prefixed setting keys, not the unprefixed
+      // names used internally below — map them explicitly rather than
+      // spreading `config` straight into the destructure, which silently
+      // matched nothing and always fell through to the hardcoded
+      // defaults (notably `/backup/database`, regardless of what was
+      // configured).
       const config = await this.getBackupConfig();
       const {
         destinationPath = '/backup/database',
         compress = true,
         validateIntegrity = true,
         includeChecksums = true
-      } = { ...config, ...options };
+      } = {
+        destinationPath: config.database_backup_destination_path,
+        compress: config.database_backup_compress,
+        validateIntegrity: config.database_backup_validate_integrity,
+        includeChecksums: config.database_backup_include_checksums,
+        ...options
+      };
       
+      if (isUnderPubliclyServableRoot(destinationPath)) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Refusing to write a database backup to a publicly served directory: ${destinationPath}`
+        );
+      }
+
       // Create backup directory
       await fs.mkdir(destinationPath, { recursive: true });
       
@@ -423,7 +511,7 @@ class DatabaseBackupService {
       logger.info(`Database backup completed: ${finalFile} (${(finalStats.size / 1024 / 1024).toFixed(2)} MB) in ${durationSeconds}s`);
       
       // Send success notification if configured
-      if (config.emailOnSuccess) {
+      if (config.database_backup_email_on_success) {
         await this.sendBackupNotification('success', {
           duration: durationSeconds,
           size: finalStats.size,
@@ -457,7 +545,7 @@ class DatabaseBackupService {
       
       // Send failure notification
       const config = await this.getBackupConfig();
-      if (config.emailOnFailure) {
+      if (config.database_backup_email_on_failure) {
         await this.sendBackupNotification('failure', {
           error: error.message
         });
@@ -538,10 +626,19 @@ class DatabaseBackupService {
    * Clean up old backups
    */
   async cleanupOldBackups(retentionDays = 30) {
+    // A zero/negative/non-finite value pushes the cutoff to today or the
+    // future, matching (and deleting) every completed backup — including
+    // the one a scheduled run just created. Defense in depth: PUT /config
+    // already rejects such values, but this is also reachable with
+    // whatever database_backup_retention_days happens to be persisted.
+    if (!Number.isFinite(retentionDays) || retentionDays < 1) {
+      logger.error(`Refusing to clean up backups with invalid retentionDays: ${retentionDays}`);
+      return;
+    }
     try {
       const cutoffDate = new Date();
       cutoffDate.setDate(cutoffDate.getDate() - retentionDays);
-      
+
       // Get old backup records
       const oldBackups = await db('database_backup_runs')
         .where('completed_at', '<', cutoffDate)
@@ -686,25 +783,30 @@ async function startScheduledBackups() {
   
   try {
     const config = await databaseBackupService.getBackupConfig();
-    
-    if (!config.enabled) {
+
+    if (!config.database_backup_enabled) {
       logger.info('Database backup service is disabled');
       return;
     }
-    
+
     // Stop existing schedule
     if (backupSchedule) {
       backupSchedule.stop();
     }
-    
+
     // Default schedule: 3 AM daily (offset from file backups at 2 AM)
-    const schedule = config.schedule || '0 3 * * *';
-    
+    const schedule = config.database_backup_schedule || '0 3 * * *';
+
     backupSchedule = cron.schedule(schedule, async () => {
       logger.info('Starting scheduled database backup');
       try {
         await databaseBackupService.backup();
-        await databaseBackupService.cleanupOldBackups(config.retentionDays || 30);
+        // Re-read retention on every tick rather than closing over the value
+        // from schedule start — a retention-only /config update doesn't
+        // restart the schedule (only enabled/schedule changes do), so the
+        // closed-over value would otherwise run stale until next restart.
+        const latestConfig = await databaseBackupService.getBackupConfig();
+        await databaseBackupService.cleanupOldBackups(latestConfig.database_backup_retention_days || 30);
       } catch (error) {
         logger.error('Scheduled database backup failed:', error);
       }
@@ -731,5 +833,6 @@ module.exports = {
   databaseBackupService,
   startScheduledBackups,
   stopScheduledBackups,
+  isUnderPubliclyServableRoot,
   DatabaseBackupService // Export class for testing
 };

frontend/package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "picpeak-frontend",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "3.46.10",
+  "version": "3.46.11",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",