Apache Tika Exact Directory Specification File Overwrite Vulnerability [CVE-2018-11762]

CVE Number – CVE-2018-11762

A vulnerability in Apache Tika could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a directory traversal attack on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists because the affected software improperly validates files inside an archive file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a targeted user to extract an archive file that contains a file using directory traversal characters. This could cause a malicious file to be created outside the current working directory on the system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by overwriting other files.

Apache confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

• To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have user-level access to the targeted system or use misleading language or instructions to persuade a user on the system to open a malicious archive file.

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.

  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.

  Users are advised not to open email messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in email messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.

  Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.

  Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account when browsing the Internet.

  Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.

• Apache released a security announcement at the following link: CVE-2018-11762 Zip Slip Vulnerability in Apache Tika’s tika-app

• Apache released software updates at the following link: Apache Tika 1.19
  
  
  
  

Duncan

Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.