Title: Microsoft Windows NTFS File Hiding Vulnerability
Severity: MODERATE
Description:
There exists a condition in Microsoft Windows operating systems using NTFS that may allow for files to be hidden.
Though the NTFS filesystem allows for a 32000 character path, Microsoft Windows operating systems (NT4, 2000 and XP) enforce a 256 character limit. Any attempt to create, traverse or otherwise operate on a path longer than 256 chatacters will fail.
By using drives mapped to directories created with 'SUBST', it is possible to create directory paths longer than 256 characters. This can be accomplished by creating directories on the 'SUBST' drive. The directories on the drive will be subdirectories in the tree to which the drive is mapped. Creating these directories may result in the total absolute path exceeding the 256 character limit.
If the absolute path of a directory created on a 'SUBST' mapped drive exceeds 256 characters, any files within will be inaccessible through traversing the full path. The files may still be accessed through the paths on the mapped drive. If the drive is deleted, the files may be completely inaccessible unless a drive is re-mapped to the same position in the directory tree.
This vulnerability poses a serious risk to programs which scan the filesystem, such as antivirus software. When attempting to traverse the long path, Norton Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus fail to scan files in the long directory trees due to the Windows path restrictions. Furthermore, if a virus executes, they do not scan the disk image because it is inaccessible. Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow for viruses to remain undetected on filesystems. Attackers may also be able to hide files using this vulnerability, as Explorer and any other utility cannot traverse the paths where they are stored. It is not yet known which programs may be affected and in what ways.
This report has not been confirmed by Microsoft and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Affected Products:
- Avaya DefinityOne Media Servers
- Avaya IP600 Media Servers
- Avaya S3400 Message Application Server
- Avaya S8100 Media Servers
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Japanese Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
- Microsoft Windows XP Home
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
References:
- Microsoft: Microsoft Technet Security
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