CVE-2007-4061 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 create or overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the argument to the saveNessusRC method, which writes text specified by the addsetConfig method, possibly related to the SCANCTRL.ScanCtrlCtrl.1 ActiveX control in scan.dll. NOTE: this can be leveraged for code execution by writing to a Startup folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The CVE-2007-4061 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Nessus Vulnerability Scanner version 3.0.6 ActiveX control implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the SCANCTRL.ScanCtrlCtrl.1 ActiveX control located in the scan.dll library, which exposes the saveNessusRC method to remote attackers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the ActiveX control's argument processing, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's file handling mechanisms through carefully crafted directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability's exploitation potential becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the addsetConfig method, which enables attackers to specify arbitrary text content that gets written to files within the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the saveNessusRC method's argument parameter, where attackers can insert .. (dot dot) sequences to navigate outside of intended directories. This directory traversal capability enables attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files anywhere within the system's file structure, bypassing normal access controls and permissions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple file manipulation as it can be leveraged for persistent code execution by targeting the Windows Startup folder, where malicious executables can be placed to ensure automatic execution upon system boot. This exploitation vector aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) tactics, demonstrating how directory traversal flaws can be escalated into more sophisticated attack chains.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4061 is significant for organizations running vulnerable Nessus scanner versions, as it provides attackers with a direct path to system compromise through what appears to be a legitimate scanning tool. The vulnerability essentially transforms the Nessus scanner from a security assessment tool into a potential attack vector, allowing remote code execution capabilities that can be used for privilege escalation, persistence establishment, and data exfiltration. Organizations utilizing this version of Nessus are particularly vulnerable since the ActiveX control is designed to run with elevated privileges in many Windows environments, amplifying the potential damage from successful exploitation. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and demonstrates how ActiveX controls can introduce security risks when not properly validated against malicious input patterns, making it a prime example of how legacy Windows components can harbor dangerous security flaws that persist across multiple system configurations.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate remediation through software updates to Nessus versions that address the ActiveX control input validation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable Nessus versions and consider disabling ActiveX controls in browser environments where possible. Additionally, security administrators should monitor for suspicious file creation patterns in system directories, particularly within startup folders, as indicators of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of running untrusted ActiveX controls with elevated privileges, serving as a reminder of the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing comprehensive patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.