CVE-2012-2225 in 360zip
Summary
by MITRE
360zip 1.93beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to file browsing and file extraction.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2225 affects 360zip version 1.93beta, a compression utility software that processes various archive formats including zip files. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities, potentially compromising systems that utilize this software for file handling operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests during file browsing and extraction processes, indicating that the software's archive processing mechanisms contain exploitable code paths that can be manipulated through maliciously crafted archive files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file extraction routines of 360zip. When the software processes archive files, it fails to properly validate the contents of compressed files, particularly those with maliciously crafted paths or filenames that could trigger buffer overflows, stack corruption, or other memory corruption vulnerabilities. This weakness allows attackers to construct specially formatted archive files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring local access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2225 is significant as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise systems through social engineering or automated exploitation campaigns. An attacker could distribute maliciously crafted zip files through various channels such as email attachments, malicious websites, or file sharing platforms, where unsuspecting users might extract files using the vulnerable 360zip software. Once executed, the malicious code could establish backdoors, download additional malware, steal sensitive data, or provide attackers with persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege and can potentially escalate to system-level compromise depending on the user context in which the software operates. The vulnerability also represents a classic example of a remote code execution flaw that can be leveraged for lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as network-based protections. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic extraction of files from untrusted sources and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and script injection. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file extraction activities, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within the enterprise environment. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of extracting files from untrusted sources remains crucial in preventing exploitation of this class of vulnerability.