CVE-2005-0329 in ZipGenius
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ZipGenius 5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to create and possibly modify arbitrary files via a ZIP file with a file whose name includes .. (dot dot) sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0329 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within ZipGenius version 5.5 and earlier implementations. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths contained within ZIP archive entries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the decompression process encounters file names containing .. (dot dot) sequences that indicate directory navigation. These sequences, when processed without proper sanitization, can cause the extraction routine to traverse parent directories and create or modify files outside of the intended target directory structure. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted ZIP archives, making it particularly dangerous for web-based file handling systems. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious ZIP file contains entries with path traversal sequences that bypass normal file extraction boundaries. When ZipGenius processes such archives, it fails to validate whether the extracted file paths remain within the designated extraction directory, allowing attackers to specify absolute paths or navigate to arbitrary locations on the target system. This flaw enables attackers to overwrite critical system files, create backdoor executables, or inject malicious content into directories where the application has write permissions. The vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges or compromise the integrity of the entire system, particularly when the application runs with elevated privileges during decompression operations. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of ZipGenius.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, potentially enabling complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors or when the vulnerable application has access to sensitive system resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness to install persistent backdoors, modify system binaries, or gain unauthorized access to confidential data stored in adjacent directories. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can leverage it through web interfaces, file upload mechanisms, or any other method that allows them to submit ZIP files to the vulnerable system. Organizations using vulnerable versions of ZipGenius face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations, particularly in environments where strict access controls and data protection measures are required. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad, compromising both confidentiality and integrity of system resources, and can also affect availability if critical system files are overwritten or corrupted.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2005-0329 requires immediate patching of all affected ZipGenius installations to versions that properly sanitize file paths during decompression operations. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures that filter out or reject file names containing directory traversal sequences before processing. Additionally, applications should enforce strict directory boundaries during file extraction, ensuring that all extracted files are confined to the designated target directory regardless of the path specified in the archive entry. Network-level controls such as firewall rules and web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth by monitoring and blocking suspicious file upload activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving directory traversal and privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security operations teams. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of ZipGenius and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent similar issues in the future. Regular security testing and code reviews should specifically target file handling functions to prevent the introduction of similar path traversal vulnerabilities in custom applications or third-party software components.