CVE-2014-9983 in Rar
Summary
by MITRE
Directory Traversal exists in RAR 4.x and 5.x because an unpack operation follows any symlinks, including symlinks contained in the archive. This allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a crafted archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9983 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting RAR archive utilities version 4.x and 5.x. This security weakness stems from the improper handling of symbolic links during the unpacking process, where the archive extraction mechanism follows symlinks contained within the archive itself. The vulnerability operates at the core of archive processing functionality, specifically targeting how the RAR software manages file system operations when decompressing archived content. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious archives containing carefully constructed symbolic links that point to arbitrary locations on the target system. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification places the vulnerability within the broader category of file system manipulation exploits that have been consistently documented across numerous software platforms and operating systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9983 extends beyond simple file system manipulation to potentially enable complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, effectively bypassing normal file permissions and access controls. This capability allows for malicious file placement that could include backdoors, rootkits, or other persistent threat components. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates during the archive extraction phase, which typically occurs when users or automated systems process downloaded or received archives. This timing makes exploitation particularly effective in phishing campaigns, malicious software distribution, and supply chain attacks where attackers can craft archives that appear legitimate but contain malicious payloads designed to overwrite critical system files or install persistent malware components.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script execution through command-line interfaces, and T1074.001, which involves data staging through local data staging mechanisms. Attackers leveraging CVE-2014-9983 typically construct malicious archives containing symbolic links that, when processed by vulnerable RAR software, result in unauthorized file system modifications. The attack chain involves initial compromise through archive delivery, followed by exploitation of the directory traversal vulnerability during the unpacking operation. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects not just individual user systems but also enterprise environments where automated archive processing occurs, potentially enabling attackers to compromise multiple systems through a single malicious archive. The widespread use of RAR format across various platforms and operating systems increases the potential impact, as the vulnerability affects both Windows and Unix-like systems where RAR utilities are commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9983 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to RAR versions that have patched this vulnerability, as provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement comprehensive software inventory management to identify all systems running vulnerable RAR versions and ensure timely patching. Additionally, operational security measures should include strict archive processing policies that limit automatic extraction of archives from untrusted sources, particularly in enterprise environments. Network-level controls such as email filtering and web proxy configurations can help prevent delivery of malicious archives to end users. System administrators should also implement file system monitoring to detect unauthorized file modifications, particularly in critical system directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in archive processing utilities and highlights the need for proper input validation and access control enforcement during file system operations. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxed environments for processing untrusted archives and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other archive processing utilities and file system manipulation tools.