CVE-2000-0038 in glFtpD
Summary
by MITRE
glFtpD includes a default glftpd user account with a default password and a UID of 0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0038 represents a critical security flaw in the glFtpD FTP server implementation that directly violates fundamental security principles. This issue stems from the inclusion of a default administrative account with a hardcoded password and root-level privileges, creating an inherent backdoor that compromises the entire system's integrity. The default glftpd user account with UID 0 represents a severe privilege escalation vector that allows unauthorized access to system resources with the highest possible permissions.
This vulnerability operates at the core of authentication and authorization mechanisms within the FTP server software, where the default account bypasses normal security controls and provides immediate administrative access. The combination of a known default password and root-level user identification creates an exploitable condition that aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software. The UID 0 designation indicates that this account possesses the same privileges as the root user, enabling complete system compromise through simple authentication attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the entire system. Attackers can leverage this default account to gain complete control over the FTP server and underlying operating system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, and persistent access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.002, which covers legitimate credentials gained through default accounts, and represents a classic privilege escalation scenario that can result in full system compromise.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in environments where the FTP server is accessible over networks, as it provides attackers with an unauthenticated path to system administration. The default nature of the account means that system administrators are often unaware of its existence, creating a stealthy attack vector that can persist undetected. Organizations implementing glFtpD software are particularly vulnerable if proper account management practices are not followed, as the default account remains active and accessible unless explicitly disabled or modified. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper account lifecycle management and demonstrates how default configurations can create persistent security risks that require immediate attention and remediation.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate account deactivation or modification, including changing the default password to a strong, unique value, or completely removing the default account from the system configuration. System administrators should implement comprehensive account management policies that include regular audits of user accounts and enforcement of strong authentication practices. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure configuration management and emphasizes that default installations should never be deployed in production environments without proper security hardening measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other software components that may contain default credentials or insecure default configurations.