First, let’s decode the -2F parts:
If we replace -2F with /, we get:
-template-../../../../root/
The .. is the parent directory traversal sequence.
Block requests containing sequences like: -template-..-2F..-2F..-2F..-2Froot-2F
Since this payload uses a non-standard encoding (-2F instead of %2F), a simple blacklist for %2F would fail.
If you are simply testing a user interface and need "filler" text that looks like a complex string but contains no functional malicious code (safe to copy/paste anywhere): First, let’s decode the -2F parts:
Label: Sample Encoded Path Value:
item-template-..-2F..-2F..-2F..-2Froot-2FNotes: This string is used for testing URL decoding algorithms and filesystem boundary checks.
If you’re testing your own application and see such strings in logs: If we replace -2F with / , we get: -template-
Four traversals are excessive if the target application root is three levels deep (e.g., /var/www/app/templates/). However, attackers often insert extra ../ sequences to:
A robust Linux path ../../../../root/ resolves to the absolute root directory after the system resolves .. properly.