CVE-2007-1954 in ArchiveXpert
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in ArchiveXpert 2.02 build 80 allow remote attackers to create files in arbitrary directories via a .. (dot dot) in a (1) .gz, (2) .jar, (3) .rar, (4) .tar.gz, (5) .zip, or (6) .tar file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1954 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within ArchiveXpert 2.02 build 80, a file archiving and extraction utility. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation during the decompression process of various archive formats including gzip, jar, rar, tar.gz, zip, and tar files. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize file paths contained within compressed archives, allowing malicious actors to exploit the lack of proper path validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically enables attackers to manipulate archive extraction processes through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences in file paths, which are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. This directory traversal capability permits remote attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized file creation, modification, or even execution of malicious code in vulnerable environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw operates by bypassing normal file system access controls through the manipulation of relative path references within archive contents. When ArchiveXpert processes compressed files containing .. sequences in their pathnames, the application fails to properly resolve these paths against a designated extraction root directory, effectively allowing attackers to escape the intended extraction boundaries. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple archive formats simultaneously, amplifying the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. The implementation lacks proper path normalization and validation routines that would normally ensure extracted file paths remain within the intended target directory structure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running ArchiveXpert 2.02 build 80, as it enables remote code execution capabilities and arbitrary file system manipulation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to place malicious files in critical system directories, potentially leading to privilege escalation, system compromise, or data corruption. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where ArchiveXpert might be used to process untrusted archive files from external sources. This includes scenarios where the application processes user-uploaded files, automated backup systems, or any environment where archive extraction occurs without proper input sanitization. The impact extends beyond simple file creation, as attackers could potentially overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or establish persistent backdoors through carefully crafted archive contents that exploit this directory traversal weakness.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1954 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Organizations should consider implementing proper path validation routines that normalize and sanitize file paths before processing archive contents, ensuring that all extracted paths are resolved relative to a designated safe root directory. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file creation patterns or unauthorized file system modifications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in areas related to input validation and privilege management. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other systems running vulnerable versions of ArchiveXpert or similar applications that may be susceptible to similar directory traversal attacks. Regular security audits and application security testing should include specific checks for path traversal vulnerabilities in file processing functions to prevent similar issues from emerging in other software components.