CVE-2001-0264 in G6 FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Gene6 G6 FTP Server 2.0 (aka BPFTP Server 2.10) allows remote attackers to obtain NETBIOS credentials by requesting information on a file that is in a network share, which causes the server to send the credentials to the host that owns the share, and allows the attacker to sniff the connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0264 represents a significant security flaw in the Gene6 G6 FTP Server version 2.0, also known as BPFTP Server 2.10, which affects network authentication mechanisms and credential exposure. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of network file requests within the FTP server implementation, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication information. The flaw specifically manifests when the server processes requests for files located within network shares, triggering an unintended behavior that exposes NETBIOS credentials to unauthorized parties.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the attacker initiating a file information request against a file that resides in a network share accessible to the FTP server. When the server processes this request, it fails to properly isolate or sanitize the authentication context, causing it to transmit the underlying NETBIOS credentials to the host that owns the network share. This transmission occurs over the network connection without proper encryption or authentication verification, making the credentials susceptible to interception by malicious actors monitoring the network traffic. The flaw essentially creates a credential leakage mechanism where authentication information flows through the FTP server's processing pipeline in an unsecured manner.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to network resources and systems that rely on the exposed credentials for authentication. Network administrators and security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability operates at the protocol level, affecting the fundamental security assumptions of file sharing and authentication mechanisms within the network infrastructure. The ability to sniff and capture these credentials provides attackers with persistent access privileges that can be leveraged for further network exploration, lateral movement, and privilege escalation activities. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of network authentication systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0264 require immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of sensitive network shares to untrusted networks. Organizations should deploy network monitoring tools capable of detecting and alerting on unusual credential transmission patterns, while implementing encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS for all FTP communications to prevent credential sniffing. System administrators must ensure that FTP server configurations properly isolate authentication contexts and prevent the automatic transmission of credentials to network hosts during file access requests. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that network shares are properly secured and that authentication mechanisms do not inadvertently expose credentials through FTP server implementations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a critical concern for organizations relying on legacy FTP server implementations for network file access and authentication.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate how legacy network protocols can contain fundamental design flaws that create persistent security risks. Security professionals should understand that this type of vulnerability often requires patching or replacement of affected systems rather than simple configuration changes, as the underlying flaw exists within the core protocol handling mechanisms. Organizations must maintain comprehensive inventory management of all network services and their versions to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of network traffic analysis and monitoring capabilities that can detect anomalous credential transmission behaviors and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts.