CVE-2015-1192 in kgb
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in kgb 1.0b4 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a full pathname in a crafted archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The CVE-2015-1192 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw in the kgb 1.0b4 software package that exposes systems to remote code execution and arbitrary file manipulation. This vulnerability specifically affects the archive handling functionality where the software fails to properly validate file paths during extraction processes. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted archives that contain absolute paths, enabling them to write files to any location on the target system regardless of the intended extraction directory. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category of Cross-Site Request Forgery, though in this context it manifests as a file system traversal attack that bypasses normal access controls and directory restrictions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the archive processing layer where legitimate system operations are expected to be safe from malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the archive extraction routine. When kgb processes archive files, it does not adequately sanitize or verify the file paths contained within the archive metadata. This allows attackers to include absolute paths such as /etc/passwd or /var/www/html/config.php within their malicious archives, causing the extraction process to write files directly to these system locations. The flaw occurs because the software assumes that all file paths within archives are relative to the intended extraction directory without performing proper path validation or normalization. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to place malicious files in system directories where they can be executed or modified by legitimate system processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1192 extends beyond simple file manipulation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, install backdoors, or modify configuration files that could lead to persistent access or complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where kgb is used for automated file processing, such as web application deployment systems or automated backup solutions, as these scenarios often involve elevated privileges and can result in widespread compromise. Organizations using kgb for processing untrusted archives face significant risk of unauthorized file system access, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or establish persistent footholds within their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1192 should focus on immediate patching of the kgb software to version 1.0b5 or later, which includes proper path validation and normalization. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all archive processing operations, ensuring that file paths are normalized and validated against expected directories before any extraction occurs. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in environments where kgb processes archives from untrusted sources. Additionally, organizations should monitor for suspicious file system activities and implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in archive processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file handling components, particularly those operating with elevated privileges or in automated processing environments where the attack surface is expanded through untrusted input handling.