CVE-2011-4696 in Eye-Fi Helper
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Eye-Fi Helper before 3.4.23 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to create arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the filesignature in a GetPhotoStatus request.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The CVE-2011-4696 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Eye-Fi Helper software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.4.23. This vulnerability resides in the file handling mechanism of the Eye-Fi wireless photo transfer utility that enables users to automatically upload photos from their cameras to computers or cloud services. The flaw manifests when the application processes GetPhotoStatus requests containing malicious file paths with dot-dot sequences, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system operations performed by the helper application. The vulnerability specifically targets the filesignature parameter within the GetPhotoStatus request, which is used to verify photo integrity during the transfer process. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can manipulate the file creation behavior of the Eye-Fi Helper to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized file system modifications or even code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic directory traversal attack pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw occurs because the Eye-Fi Helper application fails to properly validate or sanitize the filesignature parameter received in the GetPhotoStatus request. This parameter is expected to contain a cryptographic signature for photo verification, but attackers can inject malicious path sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation to navigate outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, bypassing normal access controls and potentially allowing attackers to write files to sensitive system directories or overwrite existing critical files. The man-in-the-middle attack vector indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited during network communication between the Eye-Fi card and the helper application, making it particularly concerning for users who rely on wireless photo transfer functionality in untrusted network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4696 extends beyond simple unauthorized file creation, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can create malicious files in system directories, potentially installing backdoors or rootkits that persist across system reboots. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to user privacy and data integrity, as attackers could potentially overwrite or corrupt existing photo files, or even modify configuration files used by the Eye-Fi Helper application. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a foothold for further exploitation within the target system, as the ability to create arbitrary files opens possibilities for privilege escalation or lateral movement. The vulnerability affects users who have Eye-Fi cards configured to automatically transfer photos to their computers, making it particularly relevant in environments where users connect to public or untrusted networks during photo transfer operations. The man-in-the-middle aspect of the attack means that even users on secure networks could be vulnerable if their network traffic is intercepted by malicious actors who can inject modified responses into the communication stream.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4696 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in Eye-Fi Helper version 3.4.23 and subsequent releases. Users should ensure they have updated to the latest available version of the Eye-Fi Helper application to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Network administrators should implement additional security measures such as network segmentation and traffic monitoring to detect suspicious GetPhotoStatus requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameter sanitization in networked applications, particularly those that handle user-provided data in file system operations. Security best practices recommend implementing strict path validation, using allowlists for acceptable file paths, and employing secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to limit the exposure of Eye-Fi enabled devices to untrusted networks, and should regularly audit their endpoint security to ensure all devices have up-to-date security patches. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation, and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting user endpoints in enterprise environments.