CVE-2020-37086: Easy Transfer iOS Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2020-37086 Overview

Easy Transfer 1.7 iOS mobile application contains a directory traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) that allows remote attackers to access unauthorized file system paths without authentication. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating path parameters in GET and POST requests to list or download sensitive system files and inject malicious scripts into application parameters.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can traverse the file system to access sensitive data, potentially exposing confidential information stored on the device without requiring any authentication.

Affected Products

• Easy Transfer 1.7 for iOS
• Easy Transfer WiFi Transfer iOS Application

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE CVE-2020-37086 published to NVD
• 2026-02-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2020-37086

Vulnerability Analysis

This directory traversal vulnerability exists in the Easy Transfer 1.7 iOS application's file handling functionality. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied path parameters in HTTP requests, allowing attackers to break out of the intended directory structure using path traversal sequences such as ../.

The vulnerability can be exploited through both GET and POST request parameters, enabling unauthorized access to files outside the application's designated storage area. Additionally, the application's failure to validate input parameters creates an opportunity for script injection attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation (CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory). The application does not adequately sanitize or validate path parameters before using them in file system operations. This allows attackers to include directory traversal sequences (../) in request parameters to escape the intended directory and access arbitrary files on the system.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is classified as Local, requiring network access to the device running the vulnerable application. An attacker on the same network can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences targeting the application's web interface. By manipulating the path parameters in GET or POST requests, the attacker can:

1. List directory contents outside the authorized scope
2. Download sensitive system files without authentication
3. Inject malicious scripts into application parameters

The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or prior authentication, making it easily exploitable by any attacker with network access to the target device.

For detailed technical exploitation information, refer to the Exploit-DB #48395 advisory and the Vulnerability Lab #2223 report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2020-37086

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or %2e%2e/ in URL parameters
• Unusual file access attempts targeting system directories like /etc/, /var/, or application configuration paths
• Requests attempting to access files outside the application's document root
• Log entries showing repeated attempts to enumerate directory structures

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests containing encoded or unencoded directory traversal patterns
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on suspicious file access patterns targeting the Easy Transfer application
• Review application logs for unauthorized file access attempts or enumeration activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the Easy Transfer application if available
• Monitor network connections to devices running the vulnerable application for unusual activity
• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of devices running vulnerable iOS applications
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor file system access patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2020-37086

Immediate Actions Required

• Remove or disable the Easy Transfer 1.7 application until a patched version is available
• Restrict network access to devices running the vulnerable application
• Implement network-level controls to limit connections to the application's web interface
• Consider using alternative file transfer solutions that do not have known vulnerabilities

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. Users should check the Apple App Store listing for application updates. Additional advisory information is available from VulnCheck.

Workarounds

• Uninstall or disable the Easy Transfer application until a security update is released
• Use the application only on trusted networks with restricted access
• Implement firewall rules to block external access to the application's HTTP service
• Consider using iOS built-in file sharing features like AirDrop as an alternative

# Network-level mitigation: Block access to Easy Transfer's default port
# Example iptables rule (adjust port as needed based on application configuration)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP

# Alternatively, restrict access to trusted IP addresses only
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP