CVE-2014-4877 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

🚨 **Essence**: A path traversal flaw in GNU Wget allows writing arbitrary files. 📉 **Consequences**: Attackers can execute arbitrary code by exploiting recursive downloads via LIST responses.…

🛡️ **Root Cause**: Absolute path traversal vulnerability. 🐛 **Flaw**: The software fails to properly sanitize filenames in FTP LIST responses during recursive operations, allowing directory escape.

📦 **Affected**: GNU Wget versions **1.15 and earlier**. 🌐 **Component**: The core download utility used for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP transfers.

💻 **Privileges**: Arbitrary code execution. 📂 **Data**: Write access to arbitrary file locations on the target system. Hackers can plant malicious scripts or overwrite critical binaries.

⚠️ **Threshold**: Moderate. 🤝 **Auth**: No authentication required. 📝 **Config**: Requires the victim to use Wget with **recursive download** features against a malicious FTP server sending crafted LIST responses.

🔍 **Exploit**: Yes, public exploits exist. 📜 **Proof**: Vendor advisories (Red Hat, SUSE) and git commits confirm the issue is known and exploitable via specific FTP LIST manipulation.

🔎 **Self-Check**: Scan for GNU Wget versions **≤ 1.15**. 📋 **Feature**: Look for usage of recursive FTP downloads. Use vulnerability scanners to detect unpatched Wget binaries.

✅ **Fixed**: Yes. 🩹 **Patch**: Update to a version newer than 1.15. 📥 **Action**: Apply vendor-specific patches (e.g., RHSA-2014:1955 for Red Hat, openSUSE-SU-2014:1380 for SUSE).

🚧 **Workaround**: Avoid using Wget for recursive FTP downloads. 🛑 **Mitigation**: Restrict Wget usage to trusted sources only, or disable recursive mode if possible. Use alternative tools if feasible.

🔥 **Urgency**: HIGH. 🚀 **Priority**: Patch immediately. Since it allows arbitrary code execution without auth, it’s a prime target for automated attacks. Don’t wait!