CVE-2010-2452 in KVIrc
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the DCC functionality in KVIrc 3.4 and 4.0 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2452 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Distributed Chat Client (DCC) functionality of KVIrc versions 3.4 and 4.0. This weakness resides in the file handling mechanisms of the DCC protocol implementation, which is commonly used for file transfers in IRC networks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit the software's inability to properly validate file paths during DCC operations, creating a pathway for malicious file manipulation. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and path validation within the DCC file transfer subsystem, allowing attackers to craft specially formatted requests that can traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This flaw specifically affects the file overwriting capabilities during DCC file transfers, where the application fails to properly restrict file system access based on user input or network requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the DCC functionality's handling of file names and paths during file transfer operations. When a user receives a DCC file transfer request, the application processes the file path without adequate validation, potentially allowing attackers to specify paths that traverse up the directory tree using sequences such as "../" or similar path traversal patterns. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to save incoming files to disk, where the lack of proper path validation enables attackers to overwrite existing files in arbitrary locations on the target system. This weakness falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Fixed-Length Buffer, which is a well-documented class of vulnerabilities in file system operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges and can be executed remotely through network-based attacks against vulnerable KVIrc instances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites, potentially enabling complete system compromise through strategic file replacement attacks. An attacker could overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or executable components with malicious payloads, leading to privilege escalation, persistent backdoors, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects both the client-side application and any systems that might be running vulnerable versions of KVIrc, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where multiple users might be connected. The implications are especially severe in enterprise or organizational settings where KVIrc might be used for internal communications, as attackers could potentially disrupt services or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to manipulate file system components to achieve malicious objectives, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2452 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability in the DCC functionality. Users should disable DCC functionality entirely if not required for operations, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable code path. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict DCC traffic, particularly when using IRC clients in enterprise environments, as this limits the ability of remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, system hardening measures including restricted file system permissions and monitoring for unauthorized file modifications should be implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and path sanitization in networked applications, particularly those handling file transfers or user-provided data. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of similar weaknesses in their IRC client implementations and ensure that all third-party software components are kept up to date with security patches. Regular security audits of networked applications should include checks for improper path handling and directory traversal vulnerabilities to prevent similar issues from being exploited in the future.