CVE-2018-1000161 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2018-1000161 pertains to a security issue in the NSE script http-fetch within versions 6.49BETA6 to 7.60 of nmap, potentially leading to Directory Traversal and file overwriting.

Understanding CVE-2018-1000161

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the NSE script http-fetch within specific versions of nmap, allowing for potential file manipulation by attackers.

What is CVE-2018-1000161?

The vulnerability in the NSE script http-fetch in nmap versions 6.49BETA6 to 7.60 enables Directory Traversal, which could result in file overwriting when the script is executed.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1000161

The security issue could be exploited by tricking a user into running the NSE script http-fetch on a malicious website, potentially leading to file overwriting.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1000161

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in nmap versions 6.49BETA6 to 7.60 allows for Directory Traversal, enabling attackers to overwrite files during script execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 6.49BETA6 to 7.60 of nmap, including SVN revision 37147

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by luring victims to run the NSE script http-fetch on a harmful website

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-1000161 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid running the NSE script http-fetch on untrusted websites
Update nmap to version 7.7 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches
Educate users on safe script execution practices

Patching and Updates

Ensure that nmap is updated to version 7.7 or above to address the security issue.