CVE-2018-12036 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OWASP Dependency-Check before version 3.2.0 allows attackers to exploit a vulnerability through specially crafted archives, enabling them to write to arbitrary files.

Understanding CVE-2018-12036

Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform directory traversal and manipulate filenames within the archive.

What is CVE-2018-12036?

OWASP Dependency-Check before version 3.2.0 is susceptible to a security flaw that permits attackers to write to arbitrary files by using a maliciously crafted archive.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12036

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute directory traversal attacks and modify filenames, potentially leading to unauthorized write access to critical files.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12036

OWASP Dependency-Check vulnerability details:

Vulnerability Description

Attackers exploit versions before 3.2.0 through specially crafted archives
Enables writing to arbitrary files

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OWASP Dependency-Check
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 3.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers use crafted archives with directory traversal filenames
Allows manipulation of filenames to gain unauthorized write access

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address CVE-2018-12036:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OWASP Dependency-Check to version 3.2.0 or newer
Implement file input validation to prevent directory traversal attacks

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software dependencies
Conduct security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to ensure the latest security fixes are in place