CVE-2001-0644 in Rumpus FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Maxum Rumpus FTP Server 1.3.3 and 2.0.3 dev 3 stores passwords in plaintext in the "Rumpus User Database" file in the prefs folder, which could allow attackers to gain privileges on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0644 represents a critical security flaw in the Maxum Rumpus FTP Server versions 1.3.3 and 2.0.3 development build 3. This issue stems from improper credential storage practices where user passwords are maintained in plaintext format within the Rumpus User Database file located in the prefs directory. The fundamental technical flaw lies in the absence of any cryptographic protection or hashing mechanisms for password storage, making this a classic example of insecure data handling that violates established security principles. The vulnerability operates at the application level and affects the server's authentication mechanism, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond simple network access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to user credentials that can be used to escalate privileges within the FTP server environment. When passwords are stored in plaintext, any attacker who gains access to the prefs folder or the Rumpus User Database file can immediately read and utilize these credentials for unauthorized access to user accounts. This weakness creates a significant attack surface that enables privilege escalation attacks and can lead to complete server compromise, as attackers can potentially gain administrative access through legitimate user accounts. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat since compromised credentials remain valid until manually changed, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the system.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-259 and CWE-312 categories, specifically addressing weaknesses in password storage and the exposure of sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper credential management practices as outlined in various security frameworks. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation techniques. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical skill to leverage, transforming a simple file access attack into a comprehensive system compromise. Organizations using affected versions of the Rumpus FTP Server face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, as the vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor to user authentication mechanisms without requiring sophisticated attack vectors.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of password encryption or hashing mechanisms for all stored credentials, proper file access controls to restrict access to the prefs folder, and regular security audits of application configurations. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication and regular credential rotation policies. The most effective immediate fix involves upgrading to a patched version of the Rumpus FTP Server that implements proper password storage mechanisms, while also ensuring that any existing plaintext passwords are immediately changed and that access controls are properly configured to prevent unauthorized file system access to the preferences directory.