CVE-2004-2643 in Cabarc
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Microsoft cabarc allows remote attackers to overwrite files via "../" sequences in file names in a CAB archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2643 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Microsoft's cabarc utility, which is used for creating and extracting Microsoft Cabinet (.cab) archive files. This directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path handling within the cabarc command-line tool that processes file names during archive extraction operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the utility encounters file paths containing "../" sequences in the archive metadata, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the extraction process and target arbitrary file locations on the victim system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. When cabarc processes archive files containing malicious path sequences, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the file paths before writing extracted content to disk. This allows an attacker to craft CAB archives with filenames that traverse up the directory tree using relative path references, potentially overwriting critical system files, configuration data, or other sensitive files in unintended locations. The vulnerability exists at the application layer within the file extraction logic where input validation should occur but does not.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution through file overwriting capabilities, particularly in environments where CAB archives are automatically processed or where users unknowingly extract malicious archives. Attackers can exploit this weakness to overwrite system binaries, configuration files, or user data, potentially leading to privilege escalation, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Windows operating systems that have cabarc installed, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where automatic archive extraction might occur during software deployment or system maintenance operations. This weakness also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistence mechanisms by overwriting legitimate system files with malicious counterparts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2643 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft security updates, along with implementing strict input validation policies for archive processing. Organizations should disable automatic extraction of CAB archives from untrusted sources and implement proper file access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring of file system changes can help detect unauthorized file modifications. Additionally, security awareness training for users can prevent accidental execution of malicious archives. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage path traversal vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to system resources.