CVE-2013-5648 in libdigidoc
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the handleStartDataFile function in DigiDocSAXParser.c in libdigidoc 3.6.0.0, as used in ID-software before 3.7.2 and other products, allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a filename beginning with / (slash) or \ (backslash) in a DDOC file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5648 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the DigiDocSAXParser component of libdigidoc version 3.6.0.0. This issue affects ID-software products prior to version 3.7.2 and has broader implications for systems utilizing this library. The vulnerability resides in the handleStartDataFile function which processes DDOC files during parsing operations. When a malicious DDOC file contains a filename that begins with a forward slash or backslash character, the parser fails to properly validate the file path, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the file system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, specifically addressing improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted DDOC file containing a filename that starts with either a forward slash or backslash character. During the parsing process, the handleStartDataFile function processes these malformed filenames without adequate sanitization, allowing the absolute path to be interpreted by the underlying file system. This flaw enables attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can overwrite existing files or create new files in directories outside the intended scope of the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary file overwrite operations, potentially leading to system compromise, data corruption, or privilege escalation depending on the target system configuration and file permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5648 extends beyond simple file system manipulation as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios within the broader ATT&CK framework. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability to perform file system reconnaissance, create backdoor files, overwrite critical system binaries, or corrupt application data. The vulnerability affects digital signature processing applications that rely on libdigidoc for DDOC file handling, potentially compromising the integrity of digital documents and the security of the entire document processing pipeline. Organizations using affected versions of ID-software or other products incorporating this library face significant risk of unauthorized file system modifications, which could lead to service disruption, data loss, or further compromise through privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to version 3.7.2 or later of ID-software where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all DDOC files processed by applications utilizing libdigidoc, particularly focusing on filename sanitization and path normalization. The implementation of proper file path validation should include checking for absolute path indicators and rejecting any filenames beginning with slash or backslash characters. Additionally, applications should operate with minimal required privileges and implement proper file system access controls to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in cryptographic and digital signature processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK techniques focused on privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation.