CVE-2006-2006 in IZArc
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in IZArc Archiver 3.5 beta 3 allow remote attackers to write arbitrary files via a ..\ (dot dot backslash) in a (1) .rar, (2) .tar, (3) .zip, (4) .jar, or (5) .gz archive. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2006 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in IZArc Archiver version 3.5 beta 3, affecting multiple archive formats including rar, tar, zip, jar, and gz. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during archive extraction processes, where the software fails to properly sanitize file paths contained within compressed archives. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate archive contents through the use of ..\ sequences, which are standard directory traversal patterns designed to navigate up directory levels. When the archiver processes these malicious paths, it can potentially write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, bypassing normal file access controls and security boundaries. This issue specifically impacts the archive extraction functionality and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in path validation mechanisms within the archiving software.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious archive containing filenames with ..\ sequences that, when extracted, would cause the archiver to write files outside of the intended target directory. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely through the archiver's interface, making it accessible to attackers who can provide malicious archive files to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability affects multiple archive formats simultaneously, indicating a systemic flaw in how the software handles path resolution across different compression algorithms rather than a single format-specific issue.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables arbitrary file system modifications on vulnerable systems. Attackers could potentially overwrite critical system files, install malicious executables, or create backdoor access points through the compromised archiver application. The remote nature of the attack means that users could be compromised simply by opening or extracting a malicious archive, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently handle external archive files. Additionally, the vulnerability affects a widely used archiving tool, increasing the potential attack surface and the likelihood of successful exploitation in real-world scenarios. The lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent risk that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or persistent access to affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as defensive measures to prevent execution of untrusted archives. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and consider using automated tools to scan archive contents before extraction. The solution requires robust input validation that properly sanitizes all file paths during extraction processes, ensuring that ..\ sequences are either rejected or properly resolved within the intended directory boundaries. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable archiver applications and establish monitoring protocols for unauthorized file system modifications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as it can be used to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads through compromised archiver functionality.