CVE-2001-0065 in bftpd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in bftpd 1.0.13 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary commands via a long SITE CHOWN command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0065 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the bftpd 1.0.13 file transfer protocol server implementation. This issue manifests specifically when processing the SITE CHOWN command, which is used to change file ownership on the server. The buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of input data provided in the CHOWN command, allowing malicious actors to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This fundamental flaw in input validation creates a pathway for remote exploitation that can result in severe system compromise.
The technical execution of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weakness in how bftpd handles user-supplied data during the SITE CHOWN command processing. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted command containing an excessively long argument string, the application's buffer management fails to enforce size limitations, causing a stack-based buffer overflow condition. This overflow can corrupt critical program execution data, including return addresses and function pointers, potentially enabling attackers to redirect program flow or inject malicious code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where FTP services are exposed to untrusted users.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0065 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential arbitrary code execution capabilities. While the primary effect may be service disruption through process termination or system instability, the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could allow remote code execution. Attackers might exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the affected system, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. The implications are particularly severe for systems where bftpd serves as a primary file transfer mechanism, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of bftpd or applying relevant security patches that address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of FTP services to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a typical attack vector categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network services, particularly those handling user-supplied data through protocol commands. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious SITE CHOWN command patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of active attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.