CVE-2007-4842 in Magellan Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Enriva Development Magellan Explorer 3.32 build 2305 and earlier allows remote FTP servers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a filename. NOTE: this can be leveraged for code execution by writing to a Startup folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4842 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Enriva Development Magellan Explorer FTP client software version 3.32 build 2305 and earlier. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize filename inputs received from remote FTP servers during file transfer operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes filenames containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, which should normally be rejected or properly handled to prevent unauthorized access to the local file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker controlling a remote FTP server to manipulate the file creation and overwrite behavior of the client application. When the Magellan Explorer processes a filename containing traversal sequences, the software fails to properly resolve the intended file path, enabling the attacker to specify arbitrary locations on the victim's local file system. This bypass of normal file system access controls creates a path traversal condition that can result in unauthorized file creation, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no privileged access on the target system, making it particularly dangerous for remote exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation to include potential code execution capabilities. When an attacker successfully leverages this vulnerability to write files to system directories, particularly those designated for startup applications or system folders, they can achieve persistent execution of malicious code on the victim's machine. This represents a significant escalation from a simple directory traversal attack to a full system compromise scenario. The vulnerability can be exploited to place malicious executables or scripts in locations such as the Windows Startup folder, ensuring that the malicious code executes automatically upon system boot or user login.
The security implications of CVE-2007-4842 align with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. This weakness category is classified under the broader category of input validation issues that affect application security. The attack vector for this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly when malicious code is written to startup locations to achieve persistence. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1078.004, which covers valid accounts for privilege escalation and persistence through legitimate system access points.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security risk and prevent exploitation through multiple defensive layers. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the Enriva Development Magellan Explorer software, as the vendor would have implemented proper input validation and path resolution mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted FTP servers. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns in system directories, and conducting regular security assessments of client applications that handle remote file transfers. Network administrators should also consider implementing FTP proxy services that can sanitize file names and paths before forwarding requests to client applications, providing an additional layer of protection against such vulnerabilities.