CVE-2012-3454 in eXtplorer
Summary
by MITRE
eXtplorer 2.1.0b6 uses world writable permissions for the /var/lib/extplorer/ftp_tmp directory, which allows local users to delete or overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3454 resides within eXtplorer version 2.1.0b6, a web-based file manager application that facilitates remote file operations through a graphical interface. This particular flaw manifests as a misconfiguration in directory permissions that creates a significant security risk for systems hosting the application. The issue specifically affects the /var/lib/extplorer/ftp_tmp directory which serves as a temporary storage location for file transfer operations within the application's functionality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper permission settings where the ftp_tmp directory is configured with world-writable permissions. This configuration allows any local user account on the system to modify, delete, or overwrite files within this directory structure. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate access control implementation where the principle of least privilege has been violated. According to CWE-732, this vulnerability falls under the category of Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, which directly enables unauthorized file system modifications through local privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file corruption or deletion, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the application's operational environment. Local users can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical application files, potentially leading to service disruption or even complete application compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local system level rather than requiring network-based exploitation, making it accessible to any user with local system access. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes Local Privilege Escalation through exploitation of system weaknesses.
The implications of this vulnerability become more severe when considering that eXtplorer serves as a file management interface that may contain sensitive data or configuration files. An attacker with local access could potentially overwrite temporary files used for authentication, session management, or other critical application functions. The world-writable permission setting creates an attack surface that allows for persistent modifications to the application environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as backdoor installation or data exfiltration. This vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in application design and deployment practices that should be addressed through proper configuration management and security auditing procedures. Organizations using eXtplorer should immediately remediate this issue by setting appropriate directory permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications and ensure that temporary directories are properly secured against local file system manipulation attacks.