CVE-2018-0496 in DFArc
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal issues in the D-Mod extractor in DFArc and DFArc2 (as well as in RTsoft's Dink Smallwood HD / ProtonSDK version) before 3.14 allow an attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the user's system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0496 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the D-Mod extractor component within DFArc and DFArc2 software applications, along with RTsoft's Dink Smallwood HD and ProtonSDK implementations. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 3.14 and exposes systems to arbitrary file overwrite attacks through improper input validation during archive extraction processes. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to write operations on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied archive entries that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, which should be properly validated and rejected during extraction operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the D-Mod extractor processes archive files containing specially crafted file paths that include directory traversal sequences. These sequences enable attackers to navigate outside the intended extraction directory and write files to arbitrary locations on the victim's system. The flaw operates at the file system level where the extractor fails to properly validate or sanitize the absolute or relative paths contained within archive entries, allowing malicious paths to bypass security checks and execute with the privileges of the user running the extraction utility. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts the file system manipulation capabilities of the software, enabling attackers to overwrite critical system files, install malicious payloads, or modify existing applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0496 extends beyond simple file overwrite capabilities and can lead to complete system compromise when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. An attacker with control over the archive content can potentially overwrite system executables, configuration files, or critical libraries, leading to privilege escalation, persistent backdoors, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users automatically extract archives from untrusted sources or when the software runs with elevated privileges. The attack surface includes any system running affected versions of DFArc, DFArc2, or RTsoft's Dink Smallwood HD implementations, making it a widespread concern for users who handle third-party game archives or mod files. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection, T1070 for indicator removal, and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary file overwrite capability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0496 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of the affected software components, specifically versions 3.14 and later. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and disable automatic extraction of untrusted archives. The software should be configured to reject or sanitize any archive entries containing directory traversal sequences before processing. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for users running these applications reduces the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious archive extraction patterns and maintain regular security updates for all software components handling user-supplied content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in file processing operations and demonstrates how seemingly simple path validation flaws can lead to significant security implications.