CVE-2010-2627 in Battlefield 2
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the Refractor 2 engine, as used in Battlefield 2 1.50 (1.5.3153-802.0) and earlier, and Battlefield 2142 (1.10.48.0) and earlier, allow remote servers to overwrite arbitrary files on the client via "..\" (dot dot backslash) sequences in URLs for the (1) sponsor or (2) community logos, and other URLs related to (3) DemoDownloadURL, (4) DemoIndexURL and (5) CustomMapsURL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2010-2627 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the Refractor 2 engine used in popular first-person shooter games Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142. This vulnerability exists within the client-side processing of web-based content where the engine fails to properly validate URL paths containing directory traversal sequences. The flaw specifically manifests when processing sponsor logos, community logos, and other URL references related to demo downloads, demo indexing, and custom map distribution. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing "..\" sequences that bypass normal path validation mechanisms, allowing them to manipulate file paths and potentially overwrite arbitrary files on affected client systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the Refractor 2 engine's URL parsing functionality. When the engine processes URLs for various game-related content, it does not properly sanitize or validate the presence of directory traversal sequences such as "..\" which are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. This weakness allows attackers to construct malicious URLs that, when processed by the vulnerable client, can result in file system manipulation. The vulnerability affects both Battlefield 2 versions up to 1.50 and Battlefield 2142 versions up to 1.10.48.0, indicating a widespread issue within the game engine architecture that was not properly addressed during development or patching cycles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file corruption or overwriting, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and privilege escalation capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical game files, modify configuration settings, or even install malicious code on client systems. The ability to manipulate files through demo download and custom map URL processing creates multiple attack vectors that could be exploited to compromise the integrity of the gaming environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which specifically addresses the issue of insufficient validation of file paths and directory traversal attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these games were widely distributed and played in online environments where users would frequently download content from remote servers.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper path handling in client-side applications, particularly those that process external content. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as attackers could potentially leverage file overwrites to gain elevated privileges or establish persistent access. The vulnerability also highlights the risks associated with game engines that process untrusted web content without proper sandboxing or validation mechanisms. Organizations and game developers should implement strict input validation, normalize file paths, and employ proper access controls to prevent such directory traversal attacks. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the need for regular security assessments of game engines and client applications, particularly those handling external content, as the impact of such flaws can extend far beyond the immediate application scope.