CVE-2002-1344 in wget
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in wget before 1.8.2-4 allows a remote FTP server to create or overwrite files as the wget user via filenames containing (1) /absolute/path or (2) .. (dot dot) sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1344 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the wget utility version 1.8.2-4 and earlier. This security weakness originates from the improper handling of filenames during FTP file transfers, where wget fails to adequately sanitize or validate file paths received from remote servers. The vulnerability specifically affects the way wget processes filenames that contain either absolute paths beginning with forward slashes or relative path traversal sequences using double dots. This flaw enables malicious FTP servers to manipulate the local file system by creating or overwriting files in arbitrary locations with the privileges of the user running wget.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from wget's insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing filenames from FTP responses. When wget encounters filenames containing absolute paths or directory traversal sequences, it does not properly sanitize these inputs before attempting to write files to the local file system. This allows an attacker controlling the FTP server to specify paths that bypass normal file system boundaries, potentially leading to the creation of malicious files in system directories or the overwriting of critical system files. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the file system operations of wget during FTP protocol interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1344 is substantial, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary file system operations with the privileges of the wget process. If wget is executed with elevated privileges, such as running as root or a privileged user, the attacker could potentially overwrite system binaries, create backdoor files, or modify critical configuration files. The vulnerability affects any system that uses wget to download files from untrusted FTP sources, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated downloads occur or where users regularly download files from remote servers without proper verification. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise depending on the user context in which wget executes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrading to wget version 1.8.2-4 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization of filenames received from FTP servers. System administrators should implement additional protective measures such as running wget with minimal privileges, avoiding automated downloads from untrusted sources, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to malicious FTP servers. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based controls to monitor and restrict FTP traffic, particularly when it involves file downloads that might be processed by wget. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through file system manipulation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated wget version to ensure that all path validation mechanisms function correctly and that no regressions have been introduced in normal file download operations.