CVE-2012-4957 in File Reporter
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in NFRAgent.exe in Novell File Reporter 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a /FSF/CMD request with a full pathname in a PATH element of an SRS record.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The CVE-2012-4957 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within Novell File Reporter's NFRAgent.exe component version 1.0.2. This vulnerability resides in the file reporting agent's handling of SRS (Simple Report Specification) records, specifically within the /FSF/CMD request processing mechanism. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the system by crafting malicious requests that include full pathnames within the PATH element of SRS records, thereby enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the NFRAgent.exe application. When processing incoming requests containing SRS records, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the PATH element, allowing attackers to inject absolute paths that bypass normal file access controls. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the file system access controls implemented by the Novell File Reporter application, creating an attack surface where remote adversaries can enumerate and retrieve sensitive files without proper authentication or authorization.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4957 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive user information stored within the file reporting environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access system logs, configuration files containing credentials, or other sensitive data that might reveal network topology, user accounts, or application-specific information. The remote nature of this attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where file reporting systems often contain sensitive operational data.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information), as it enables reconnaissance activities and information gathering that could lead to further exploitation. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk in environments where Novell File Reporter is deployed as part of enterprise file management solutions, as it could provide attackers with insights into file system structures and potentially enable privilege escalation attacks. Organizations using this software should consider the broader implications for their security posture, particularly in relation to data protection requirements and compliance frameworks that mandate access controls for sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4957 should focus on immediate patching of the affected NFRAgent.exe component, as well as network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable service. Implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, such as canonicalizing file paths and implementing strict access controls, would prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to the file reporting service to only trusted administrative hosts, while monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation in enterprise file management systems, particularly those handling sensitive data access requests.