CVE-2000-1194 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Argosoft FRP server 1.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, and possibly execute arbitrary commands, via a long string to the (1) USER or (2) CWD commands.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2025
The CVE-2000-1194 vulnerability affects the Argosoft File Retrieval Protocol (FRP) server version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the system to remote exploitation. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and directory navigation commands within the FRP protocol implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise system availability and potentially gain unauthorized access to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the server's command processing logic, particularly when handling USER and CWD commands that are fundamental to file retrieval operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on sending excessively long string inputs to the targeted commands, which causes buffer overflow conditions within the server's memory management. When the FRP server processes these malformed inputs, it fails to properly validate string lengths, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or, in more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level where the server does not implement proper bounds checking or input sanitization for user-supplied data, creating a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow through stack-based buffer overflows. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically plagued network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1194 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable complete system compromise, as the buffer overflow conditions may allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the server environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt file retrieval services, potentially causing business disruption and data unavailability. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability affects core protocol commands that are essential for normal operation, meaning that exploitation can occur without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains. Organizations relying on Argosoft FRP servers face significant risk of service interruption and potential unauthorized access to sensitive file systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where file retrieval services are critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-1194 should include immediate deployment of vendor patches or updates that implement proper input validation and bounds checking for command processing. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to the FRP service to trusted networks only, and monitoring for unusual command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499 for denial of service and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also implement comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous behavior in their file retrieval services, as the vulnerability's exploitation may leave traces in system logs that can aid in incident response and forensic analysis. Given the age of this vulnerability, it is strongly recommended that systems running Argosoft FRP server be migrated to more modern file transfer protocols with better security track records and active maintenance support.