CVE-2012-0907 in NeoAxis web player
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web player in NeoAxis NeoAxis web player 1.4 and earlier allows user-assisted remote attackers to write arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a filename in the neoaxis_web_application_win32.zip ZIP archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0907 represents a directory traversal flaw within the NeoAxis web player component version 1.4 and earlier. This security weakness exists in the web player's handling of file operations during the extraction of ZIP archives, specifically when processing filenames containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of file paths within the archive extraction process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the target location where extracted files are written to the filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the NeoAxis web player processes the neoaxis_web_application_win32.zip archive, which contains a specially crafted filename utilizing the .. (dot dot) sequence. This sequence enables an attacker to navigate up directory levels during the extraction process, potentially writing files to arbitrary locations on the target system. The flaw operates at the file system level where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the file paths contained within the ZIP archive before executing the extraction operation. This allows an attacker to specify paths that would normally be restricted, potentially overwriting critical system files or placing malicious content in sensitive directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file creation, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. When combined with the user-assisted remote attack vector, an attacker can craft a malicious ZIP archive that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, results in the installation of malware or backdoors in strategic locations. The vulnerability can be exploited to overwrite system binaries, create persistent access mechanisms, or establish command and control channels. This represents a significant risk to organizations as it allows for privilege escalation and persistent presence on compromised systems, potentially enabling further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness is classified under the broader category of input validation failures and represents a fundamental flaw in how the application processes user-supplied data. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers can leverage the directory traversal capability to establish long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the NeoAxis web player, implementing strict file path validation, and deploying network monitoring to detect suspicious file extraction activities. Additionally, security awareness training for users regarding the dangers of opening untrusted archives can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability through social engineering attacks.