CVE-2008-7110 in Scanner File Utility
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Scanner File Utility (aka listener) in Kyocera Mita (KM) 3.3.0.1 allows remote attackers to upload files to arbitrary locations via a .. (dot dot) in a request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7110 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Scanner File Utility component of Kyocera Mita software version 3.3.0.1. This security weakness resides in what is commonly referred to as the listener service, which handles file upload operations from remote clients. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file system access when processing user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences. The specific implementation flaw allows attackers to manipulate file upload paths by incorporating dot-dot sequences into their requests, effectively bypassing intended security boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file upload requests where attackers can inject .. (dot dot) sequences into file paths to navigate upward in the directory structure. This allows unauthorized file placement in arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially enabling attackers to overwrite critical system files, install malicious software, or gain persistent access to the compromised environment. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The implementation flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization that permits malicious path manipulation during file operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing Kyocera Mita software, particularly in environments where network access is not properly segmented or where the scanner utility is exposed to untrusted networks. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring authentication, making the attack surface particularly broad and potentially exploitable from any network location. The impact extends beyond simple file manipulation to include potential privilege escalation, system compromise, and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers may use this vulnerability as a stepping stone for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within network environments, aligning with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 and T1078 categories for command execution and valid accounts respectively.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper input validation controls, and restricting network access to scanner utilities through firewall rules. Network segmentation and access control lists should be configured to limit exposure of the affected service to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns and directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices, particularly in file handling operations, and demonstrates why defense-in-depth strategies are essential for protecting critical business infrastructure from exploitation of such fundamental security flaws.