CVE-2007-4220 in Timbuktu
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Motorola Timbuktu Pro before 8.6.5 for Windows allows remote attackers to create or delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a Send request, probably related to the (1) Send and (2) Exchange services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The CVE-2007-4220 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Motorola Timbuktu Pro software versions prior to 8.6.5 for Windows systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the Send and Exchange services within the Timbuktu Pro remote administration software, which is widely used for remote desktop and system management across enterprise environments. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the file handling mechanisms of these services, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file operations through crafted network requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper path validation when processing file operations within the Timbuktu Pro protocol. Attackers can construct malicious Send requests containing .. (dot dot) sequences that manipulate the file system path resolution logic. This allows unauthorized users to traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope and either create new files in arbitrary locations or delete existing files within the target system's file hierarchy. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the service level, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations relying on Timbuktu Pro for remote system administration. The ability to create or delete arbitrary files means attackers could install backdoors, modify system files, or disrupt critical operations. The vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where Timbuktu Pro is commonly used for remote support, as it could enable attackers to compromise systems without requiring legitimate credentials. The attack surface is broad since these services are often exposed to network traffic and may be accessible from untrusted networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This classification indicates that the flaw originates from insufficient validation of file system paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended directory scope. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation, potentially enabling adversaries to establish long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems running Timbuktu Pro, disable unnecessary services, and apply the vendor-provided patch to address this vulnerability. The remediation requires updating to Timbuktu Pro version 8.6.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal attacks.