CVE-2007-4031 in Vulnerability Scanner
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in a certain ActiveX control in Nessus Vulnerability Scanner 3.0.6 allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the argument to the deleteReport method, probably related to the SCANCTRL.ScanCtrlCtrl.1 ActiveX control in scan.dll.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The CVE-2007-4031 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Nessus Vulnerability Scanner 3.0.6 product, specifically affecting an ActiveX control component that exposes insecure file handling capabilities. This vulnerability resides in the SCANCTRL.ScanCtrlCtrl.1 ActiveX control located in the scan.dll library, which is designed to facilitate scanning operations within the Windows environment. The flaw manifests when the deleteReport method processes user-supplied arguments containing directory traversal sequences, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file system operations beyond intended boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in input validation where the ActiveX control fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths provided to the deleteReport method. When an attacker supplies a path argument containing .. (dot dot) sequences, the control processes these traversal characters without adequate restrictions, allowing arbitrary file deletion operations to occur at any location within the file system where the application has sufficient privileges. This represents a classic directory traversal vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of a security scanning tool, meaning the malicious user could potentially delete critical system files, configuration data, or sensitive reports that the scanner manages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities and represents a significant threat to system integrity and availability. Attackers could exploit this weakness to remove critical scanning reports, delete configuration files that prevent proper scanner operation, or even target system files to create denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where Nessus scanner is installed and running with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire network infrastructure by targeting the scanning framework itself. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited repeatedly to undermine the security monitoring capabilities of organizations relying on Nessus for vulnerability assessment.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves immediate patching of Nessus Vulnerability Scanner to version 3.0.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate and sanitize file paths before processing. Additionally, system administrators should restrict the execution privileges of the Nessus scanner application to minimize potential damage from exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable ActiveX control to untrusted users. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of vulnerable ActiveX controls in production environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation typically involves manipulating command execution through the vulnerable interface. The remediation approach should include comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls within the organization's security infrastructure, ensuring that similar weaknesses are not present in other security tools or applications.