Recent Posts

31

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Temporary solution to vulnerability CVE-2024-23692

« Last post by LeoNeeson on January 03, 2025, 01:10:25 AM »

@Alps: Using "deactivate Browsable" doesn't make any difference here (you can use it, but it doesn't stop this vulnerability). The only setting that stops it, is disabling macros (since the problem is there). With macros disabled, even search works fine, you only need to use a simple template that doesn't need or use macros.

I correct myself (my mistake): @Alps was right on his first message (and then here), by unchecking the 'Browsable' flag on the 'Home/Root' of HFS, you could avoid this vulnerability and be safe. That seems to be enough, but if you also disable macros, you are twice protected. If you use v2.4 and need to use the login system, then don't disable macros (using v2.3 you can disable macros + uncheck browsable flag, since login system depends on the browser).


Summarizing, now we have 2 options to be safe and avoid this vulnerability:

- Option A: unchecking the 'Browsable' flag
1) Inside HFS, make sure 'You are in Expert mode' (if not switch by pressing F5)
2) In 'Virtual File System' panel, right-click on the 'Home' icon, select 'Properties...'
3) Properties window will open, go to 'Flags' tab, and uncheck 'Browsable' option.
4) Click 'OK' to apply changes, and from now on, any visitor to your HFS server, will see this message: "Forbidden / This resource is not accessible", and you will not have file listing, neither file search.

- Option B: disabling the 'macros' feature
Simply follow the steps described in this post, here.

I give all the credits for both of these methods to @Alps!

Cheers,
Leo.-

32

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by LeoNeeson on January 01, 2025, 11:00:55 PM »

versions down to 2.3i now also safe with macro off ?

With macro OFF, those versions could "probably" be safe, but I can't give you a 100% guarantee "that versions down to 2.3i are also safe with macro off" (I haven't tested it to give you confirmation). Macros were always like a 'Pandora box' for vulnerabilities, but many other enhancements were introduced since version 2.3i.

in a russian forum i found also a solution including fixed hfs download

Thanks for the link. Sadly, that 'fixed HFS' download is not safe with macro ON. The solution posted there (and that compiled executable), is not enough to stop the vulnerability (since it only search the 'exec' word in the URL, and that word can be split in two words to bypass that solution, so I don't recommend it). You could point those users to visit this forum thread, so they could get updated info about this issue.

33

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by Alps on January 01, 2025, 09:31:48 PM »

This sounds all great 
Maybe this is the best solution.
I am Happy can now use hfs again after 6 months break. 

In changelogs from "j" "k" "m" i not read security fixes.
versions down to 2.3i now also safe with macro off ?

in a russian forum i found also a solution including fixed hfs download
maybe it is interesting for you.
http://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?forum=5&topic=13365&start=1940#11
i not know how safe it is.

Macro off is the best way for me.

34

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by LeoNeeson on January 01, 2025, 01:22:28 PM »

@Alps: Using "deactivate Browsable" doesn't make any difference here (you can use it, but it doesn't stop this vulnerability). The only setting that stops it, is disabling macros (since the problem is there). With macros disabled, even search works fine, you only need to use a simple template that doesn't need or use macros.

For example, I've quickly modified (removing any use of macros) the 'Stripes' template, which is a template made by the user Danny for HFS v2.3 and v2.4. These modified templates I've uploaded here, works fine for basic 'file listing' operations but doesn't have the upload, delete or login function (login still works when using v2.3), but you can add those functions back, if you have the knowledge to do it, and you don't use macros (I currently don't have enough free time nor the patience to do it).

Well, that's all for now, hope it helps.

35

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by Alps on January 01, 2025, 03:42:34 AM »

Very thanks for reply.

ok, as you say browsable not helps with this vulnerability "setting in hfs window part "virtual file system" " /Home Right click/properties/flags deactivate Browsable"

If i switch it off, user become message.
!Forbidden
or||!This resource is not accessible.

And it not only deactivate searchbox, it also deactivate search direct link.
Example
http://0.0.0.0:80/?search=test

If i switch also macro off.
Comes also
!Forbidden
or||!This resource is not accessible.

In this case it is better switch macro off and browsable on ? (The last years browsable off was my default setting)

I have a rootserver, and hfs was a important part, of course i can not use old hfs before have a safe solution.
HFS 3 is not a solution for me.

If macro off is a really safe solution, it is perfect for me, i need only direct linking.

Is a easy way possible for test this vulnerability ?

36

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by LeoNeeson on December 31, 2024, 08:46:25 AM »

Maybe can fix this security problem with different settings or template modification or macro deactivation ?
Maybe i am wrong, but it sounds the problem is in template and search function.

In hfs /Home Right click/properties/ deactivate Browsable
It deactivate browse page, search and other. (Files can download now only with direct link)
Probably this is not a solution, but i think the profis here know it better.

Can it help ?

*** Temporary solution ***
Yes, good idea! , if you disable macros, the vulnerability will NOT happen!
But keep in mind, you will not have file list (the default template will not work)

1) Inside HFS, press F5 to switch to 'Expert mode'.
2) Go to Menu > HTML template > and uncheck 'Enable macros'.
3) It will ask you 'Do you want to cancel this action?', click in 'No'.
4) Any visitor will have this message "WARNING: this template is only to be used with HFS 2.3 (and macros enabled)", and that means you have disabled the macros, and -hopefully-, the vulnerability will NOT happen!


- Old answer (read the message above): Unfortunately, that won't stop this vulnerability (I wish it were as simple as that). The only way is to modify the program (recompiling the source code). For the moment, it is better to temporarily discontinue the use of HFS v2.x (at least until this vulnerability gets fixed, something I haven't had time to finish yet), or even better, upgrade to the new version (HFS3).

Happy Holidays to all (and happy New Year!)

37

HFS ~ HTTP File Server / Re: Warning: HFS v2.x has a severe vulnerability

« Last post by Alps on December 31, 2024, 04:49:22 AM »

Maybe can fix this security problem with different settings or template modification or macro deactivation ?
Maybe i am wrong, but it sounds the problem is in template and search function.

In hfs /Home Right click/properties/ deactivate Browsable
It deactivate browse page, search and other. (Files can download now only with direct link)
Probably this is not a solution, but i think the profis here know it better.

Can it help ?

38

Everything else / Re: Best DynDNS alternative: FreeDNS.afraid.org

« Last post by rejetto on October 30, 2024, 01:13:45 PM »

some modems have ddns updater feature. That may be the best option

39

Everything else / Re: Best DynDNS alternative: FreeDNS.afraid.org

« Last post by LeoNeeson on October 19, 2024, 09:46:55 PM »

I wonder, can HFS update it automatically?

Yes, it's easy, but read a very important note at the end...

1. Login to your FreeDNS.Afraid.org account and go to "Dynamic DNS".

2. Copy the link from "Direct URL" for the domain you want to update.
     

3. From that link, change "https://" to "http://" (removing the 's'),
   since HFS can't handle SSL connections (unless you are using v2.4 RC7).

Link example:

Code: [Select]

http://freedns.afraid.org/dynamic/update.php?xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
4. In HFS, press F5 (if you are not already in 'Expert mode'), and go to...
   'Menu' > 'Dynamic DNS updater' > 'Custom...' and paste there the link.

5. It's all ready. Enjoy!


NOTE: My recommendation for FreeDNS.Afraid.org remains, but I currently do not recommend to use HFS to do the 'DNS update' (as a 'Dynamic DNS client'). It can be used along HFS, but it's better not within it. This is because, no matter what DynDNS service you do use, I've noticed that HFS it's not very reliable for this task (I've found a small bug when using the 'Custom' option, and although it seems to work, I can't guarantee it will always function). What kind of bug? HFS is -always- updating the DNS even if is not necessary, without checking first if the IP of the hostname has changed or not, and this leads to this "ERROR: Address 123.xxx.xxx.xxx has not changed." For casual use, it could work fine, but for use on as a permanent server, it's much better to use another DDNS client to update the IP.

40

Everything else / Re: Best DynDNS alternative: FreeDNS.afraid.org

« Last post by TekWiz on October 17, 2024, 08:14:37 PM »

Thank you, I agree, I've been using afraid for many, many years now. It's a shame it's not more widely supported. Doing the auto updates in windows can be a bit tricky as a simple updater hasn't been updated for years... But can be done with a scheduled script easily. I wonder, can HFS update it automatically?