CVE-2001-1109 in EFTP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in EFTP 2.0.7.337 allows remote authenticated users to reveal directory contents via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) LIST, (2) QUOTE SIZE, and (3) QUOTE MDTM commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1109 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within EFTP 2.0.7.337, a file transfer protocol implementation that enables remote authenticated users to access unauthorized directory contents through crafted command sequences. This vulnerability operates at the core of network file access controls and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and path resolution mechanisms. The flaw specifically affects three distinct FTP command types including LIST for directory listing, QUOTE SIZE for file size retrieval, and QUOTE MDTM for modification time queries, making it particularly dangerous as it encompasses multiple file system interaction points within the protocol stack.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the insertion of .. (dot dot) sequences within the targeted FTP commands, which allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access parent directories. This occurs due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file system path resolution operations. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw essentially permits attackers to bypass normal file system access controls by manipulating the command parameters to reference files or directories outside the intended scope of the FTP service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive directory traversal capabilities that can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential user information. Remote authenticated users who can establish valid FTP sessions can leverage this weakness to systematically explore the file system structure and identify valuable targets for further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where the FTP service operates with elevated privileges or where sensitive data resides in accessible directories, creating a significant risk for data exposure and potential system compromise. The attack vector requires only legitimate FTP authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal sequences from being processed within file system operations. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects any input containing .. sequences or similar traversal patterns before they can be processed by the underlying file system functions. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and input validation, which are fundamental concepts in the defense-in-depth strategy recommended by various cybersecurity frameworks including those aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework where such path traversal techniques are categorized under the T1083 discovery technique for file and directory permissions enumeration. System administrators should ensure that all FTP implementations undergo thorough security reviews and that updates are applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality.