CVE-2008-4243 in Unreal Tournament 3
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ImageServer (aka UTImageServer) in WebAdmin before 1.7 for Epic Games Unreal Tournament 3 (UT3) 1.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4243 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the ImageServer component of Epic Games Unreal Tournament 3 WebAdmin system. This weakness exists in versions prior to 1.7 and specifically affects the UTImageServer module that handles image processing and serving functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the URI parsing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers construct malicious URIs containing .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse directory structures beyond the intended image serving scope. This flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the underlying file system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, user credentials, or system files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for Unreal Tournament 3 servers that utilize the WebAdmin interface for management and image serving capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access not only image files but potentially sensitive server data, configuration files, and other resources that should be restricted to authorized administrators. The attack vector requires no authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely by any internet-connected party. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use the compromised server to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the official patch released by Epic Games for WebAdmin version 1.7 and later, which properly validates and sanitizes URI input parameters. System administrators should also implement additional network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to the WebAdmin interface to trusted IP addresses only, and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. Regular security auditing of server components and keeping all software updated with the latest security patches remains essential for maintaining system integrity. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in similar web server implementations and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place throughout the application stack.