CVE-2011-1932 in Widelands
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in io/filesystem/filesystem.cc in Widelands before 15.1 might allow remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via . (dot) characters in a pathname that is used for a file transfer in an Internet game.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1932 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Widelands game engine's file system handling component. This issue exists in the io/filesystem/filesystem.cc file of Widelands versions prior to 15.1, creating a significant security risk for users participating in internet-based multiplayer games. The flaw specifically manifests when the game engine processes file transfer operations over network connections, where malicious actors can exploit improperly validated pathnames containing dot characters to manipulate file system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the file system abstraction layer of Widelands. When players engage in online gameplay, the system must handle file transfers for game assets, save files, and configuration data. The vulnerability occurs because the pathname validation logic fails to properly sanitize or normalize file paths that contain dot characters, allowing attackers to craft malicious path sequences that can traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to potentially compromise the entire game environment and user data. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite critical game files, modify configuration settings, or even inject malicious code into the game's file system. In multiplayer contexts, this vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt gameplay for other users, corrupt game saves, or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The attack vector requires only network connectivity and knowledge of the game's file transfer mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for online gaming environments where users may not expect such security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1932 should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and path validation mechanisms within the game engine's file system operations. System administrators and game developers should immediately upgrade to Widelands version 15.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, network-level protections such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious file transfer patterns. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and more specifically T1078 for valid accounts, highlights the potential for attackers to escalate privileges through file system manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for game server processes and regular security audits of file system operations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the gaming infrastructure.