CVE-2005-0348 in RealArcade
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in RealArcade 1.2.0.994 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via an RGP file with a .. (dot dot) in the FILENAME tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0348 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within RealArcade 1.2.0.994 software, which operates under the broader category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities classified as CWE-22. This weakness allows remote attackers to manipulate file operations by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms within the software's handling of RGP (RealArcade Game Package) files. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the FILENAME tag within these package files without adequate sanitization of directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs through the manipulation of the FILENAME tag in RGP files, where attackers can inject .. (dot dot) sequences to navigate outside the intended directory structure. When RealArcade processes these malformed file references, it fails to validate the path components properly, allowing the application to interpret and execute file operations against arbitrary locations on the target system. This vulnerability directly enables attackers to perform unauthorized file deletion operations, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file system boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk that can lead to complete system compromise and data destruction. Attackers can leverage this flaw to delete critical system files, application binaries, or user data, potentially causing system instability or complete service disruption. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where RealArcade applications are deployed. The vulnerability essentially grants attackers the ability to perform arbitrary file system operations, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for file deletion and data destruction.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through crafted RGP files, making it an attractive target for malicious actors. Security professionals should recognize this as a classic example of inadequate input validation and path normalization, where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the file system context. Organizations using RealArcade 1.2.0.994 or similar applications should implement immediate mitigations including software updates, network segmentation, and input validation controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and input sanitization, particularly when handling file operations in applications that process external data formats. This flaw underscores the critical need for defensive measures against directory traversal attacks and highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.