CVE-2008-3285 in Filesys Smbclientparser
Summary
by MITRE
The Filesys::SmbClientParser module 2.7 and earlier for Perl allows remote SMB servers to execute arbitrary code via a folder name containing shell metacharacters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The Filesys::SmbClientParser module version 2.7 and earlier in perl presents a critical security vulnerability that enables remote code execution through improper handling of SMB folder names. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization when processing folder names returned by SMB servers, creating a path for malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that can be interpreted by the underlying system. The flaw exists in the module's parsing logic where folder names are directly incorporated into shell commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms, making it susceptible to command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the module's reliance on shell commands to interact with SMB shares, where folder names are concatenated directly into system calls. When an SMB server responds with a folder name containing special shell characters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters can be interpreted by the shell as command separators or operators. This creates a classic command injection scenario where attacker-controlled input can be executed with the privileges of the process running the Filesys::SmbClientParser module. The vulnerability maps to CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the module. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, gain persistent access, or cause system compromise by leveraging this vulnerability through a malicious SMB server. The attack surface extends to any system that uses the Filesys::SmbClientParser module to interact with SMB shares, particularly in enterprise environments where SMB protocols are commonly used for file sharing and network communication. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication to the SMB server itself, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the Filesys::SmbClientParser module to version 2.8 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and shell escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit SMB traffic exposure and consider using network monitoring tools to detect suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict the privileges of processes using this module, implementing principle of least privilege. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in system-level operations and demonstrates how seemingly benign parsing operations can create critical security risks. Organizations should also consider alternative SMB client implementations that do not rely on shell command execution for file operations, reducing the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities.