CVE-2001-1271 in Rar
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in rar 2.02 and earlier allows attackers to overwrite arbitrary files during archive extraction via a .. (dot dot) attack on archived filenames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1271 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the RAR archiving utility version 2.02 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the archive extraction process where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize filenames contained within compressed archives. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate archive contents through carefully crafted filenames that contain directory traversal sequences such as .. or ..\, allowing them to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system. This vulnerability operates at the core of file system operations within the RAR extraction mechanism, fundamentally undermining the security assumptions of archive handling processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RAR extraction routine. When processing archive entries, the software does not sufficiently sanitize or normalize filenames before attempting to write files to disk. Attackers can craft archive files containing entries with paths like ../../etc/passwd or ..\..\windows\system32\config\sam, which, when extracted, would traverse the directory structure and overwrite critical system files or create malicious files in privileged locations. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and execute unauthorized file operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1271 extends beyond simple file overwrites to encompass potential system compromise and privilege escalation scenarios. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to replace critical system binaries, modify configuration files, or inject malicious code into the target environment. The attack vector typically involves distributing maliciously crafted RAR archives through social engineering, compromised websites, or infected software distributions. Systems running vulnerable RAR versions become susceptible to unauthorized file system modifications, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the attacker can overwrite executables or system-critical files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may leverage the ability to overwrite files to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads. The impact is particularly severe in environments where users regularly extract archives from untrusted sources, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1271 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the RAR utility, specifically RAR 2.03 or later, which contain proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems running RAR or related utilities receive timely updates. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file access controls, monitoring archive extraction activities, and establishing secure file handling policies that restrict user permissions during archive operations. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions to block suspicious archive files and educate users about the risks of extracting archives from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in file system operations, highlighting how seemingly simple validation flaws can lead to significant security breaches. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file extraction patterns and maintain regular security audits of archive handling processes to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.