CVE-2006-2099 in UltraISO
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in UltraISO 8.0.0.1392 allows remote attackers to write arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a filename in an ISO image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2099 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within UltraISO version 8.0.0.1392, a widely used tool for creating, editing, and managing iso image files. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's file handling processes, specifically when processing filenames containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit the software's failure to properly sanitize file paths, enabling them to manipulate the target directory where extracted files are written.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially formatted iso image file containing filenames with .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse the directory structure. When UltraISO processes such files, it fails to validate whether the extracted file paths remain within the intended extraction directory, allowing arbitrary file write operations to occur outside of the designated target location. This flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and represents a classic example of how inadequate input sanitization can lead to severe privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into the target environment, or establish persistent access points through the creation of unauthorized files in sensitive directories. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of UltraISO, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where iso image files are frequently processed and may contain untrusted content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2099 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability, as well as implementing strict file validation policies for iso image processing. Organizations should disable automatic iso image processing in environments where untrusted content is present, and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1074.001 "Data Staged: Local Data Staging" due to the potential for command execution and data manipulation through the compromised file system access. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application layer and using secure coding practices that prevent path traversal attacks should be prioritized as defensive measures to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other software components.