CVE-2011-3012 in World of Padman
Summary
by MITRE
The ioQuake3 engine, as used in World of Padman 1.2 and earlier, Tremulous 1.1.0, and ioUrbanTerror 2007-12-20, does not check for dangerous file extensions before writing to the quake3 directory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted third-party addon that creates a Trojan horse DLL file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2764.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The CVE-2011-3012 vulnerability represents a critical file extension validation flaw within the ioQuake3 engine implementation across multiple first-person shooter games. This vulnerability specifically affects World of Padman 1.2 and earlier versions, Tremulous 1.1.0, and ioUrbanTerror 2007-12-20, creating a dangerous condition where the game engine fails to properly validate file extensions before writing files to the quake3 directory. The flaw operates at the core of the engine's file handling mechanisms, where legitimate addon files are processed without adequate sanitization of their extensions, creating an avenue for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the addon loading system. When third-party addons are installed, the ioQuake3 engine does not perform proper validation to ensure that files being written to the quake3 directory do not contain dangerous extensions such as .dll, .exe, or other executable formats. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious addons that appear legitimate but contain Trojan horse DLL files designed to execute arbitrary code when the game engine processes them. The vulnerability operates under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-74, which addresses injection flaws during the processing of externally-provided data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating a complete compromise of the affected system. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to install persistent backdoors, steal user credentials, or perform additional malicious activities once they gain execution privileges. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it exploits the trust relationship between the game engine and third-party addons, which users typically consider safe to install. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial compromise leads to system-level access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3012 require immediate implementation of proper file extension validation and restrictive file handling practices. Game developers and administrators should implement whitelisting mechanisms that only allow specific, safe file extensions to be processed within the quake3 directory. Additionally, mandatory file extension validation should be enforced during addon installation processes, with automatic scanning for potentially dangerous file types. System administrators should also consider implementing file system permissions that restrict write access to the quake3 directory, particularly for user accounts running the game engine. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly in systems that handle user-provided content, and demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in file handling can lead to complete system compromise.