CVE-2001-0698 in SurgeFTP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in NetWin SurgeFTP 2.0a and 1.0b allows a remote attacker to list arbitrary files and directories via the nlist ... command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0698 represents a classic directory traversal flaw affecting NetWin SurgeFTP versions 2.0a and 1.0b. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access files and directories beyond the intended scope of the FTP service, potentially exposing sensitive system information and compromising the overall security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the nlist command, which is used to list directory contents, making it a critical concern for any environment relying on FTP services for file transfers and directory management.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the FTP server implementation. When processing the nlist command, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing maliciously crafted paths containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to bypass normal access controls. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The weakness exists because the application does not adequately validate or canonicalize the input paths before processing them, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system access through carefully constructed command sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and multifaceted. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to enumerate directory structures, access restricted files, and potentially obtain sensitive information such as configuration files, user credentials, or system data that should remain protected. This capability extends beyond simple file listing to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected FTP service, as it allows unauthorized access to system resources that should be protected by normal file system permissions and access controls. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any network location without requiring local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible FTP servers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of NetWin SurgeFTP, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and configuring firewall rules to restrict access to FTP services. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which represents techniques used to enumerate file systems and identify sensitive data locations. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper access controls and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on preventing path traversal attacks through proper input sanitization and secure coding practices. Network segmentation and limiting FTP service exposure to trusted networks should also be considered as part of a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.