CVE-2007-2769 in BES
Summary
by MITRE
BES before 3.5.0 in OPeNDAP 4 (Hydrax) before 1.2.1 does not properly handle compressed files, which allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary files or execute arbitrary commands via a crafted compressed file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2769 represents a critical security flaw in the OPeNDAP 4 BES (Binary Encoding System) component prior to version 3.5.0 and the Hydrax server software before version 1.2.1. This issue stems from inadequate handling of compressed file formats within the server's processing pipeline, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the decompression and file handling mechanisms that are fundamental to how the system processes data requests from clients, making it a foundational security weakness that affects the entire data distribution infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation and processing of compressed files that are submitted to the BES component. When a malicious user uploads a crafted compressed file, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the contents before decompressing and processing them. This allows attackers to manipulate the decompression process to either overwrite existing system files with arbitrary content or execute malicious code during the extraction phase. The vulnerability essentially bypasses normal file handling security controls by leveraging the inherent trust placed in compressed file formats during the decompression process, which is a common pattern in many systems that rely on standard compression libraries for data management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with potential command execution capabilities that can lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files that may include backdoors, trojans, or other persistent threats that can maintain access to the compromised system. The attack vector requires only a remote connection to the server, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or additional authentication. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element and CWE-77 Command Injection, as it allows for both arbitrary file placement and command execution through manipulated compressed content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2769 should focus on immediate version upgrades to BES 3.5.0 or later and Hydrax 1.2.1 or later, which contain proper file validation and decompression handling mechanisms. Organizations should also implement strict file type and content validation policies that prevent the processing of compressed files from untrusted sources, along with comprehensive monitoring of file upload activities and system access logs. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of vulnerable systems to external threats, while regular security assessments should verify that decompression processes properly handle all file types and that appropriate sandboxing techniques are implemented to isolate potentially malicious content during processing. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through manipulated compressed files, and T1078 Valid Accounts, as successful exploitation may lead to persistent access through compromised system accounts.