CVE-2001-1111 in EFTP
Summary
by MITRE
EFTP 2.0.7.337 stores user passwords in plaintext in the eftp2users.dat file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1111 represents a critical security flaw in EFTP version 2.0.7.337 where user authentication credentials are stored in an unencrypted format within the eftp2users.dat file. This issue directly violates fundamental security principles by exposing sensitive authentication information in a manner that allows unauthorized access to the system. The flaw stems from poor cryptographic practices in credential storage, where passwords are not adequately protected through hashing or encryption mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it provides attackers with immediate access to user credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The plaintext storage of passwords creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the compromised file is manually secured or deleted.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and proper credential management practices. The eftp2users.dat file serves as a repository for user authentication data, yet it fails to implement any form of cryptographic protection for the stored credentials. This design flaw aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability exists at the application level within the file system storage mechanism, where authentication information should be protected through industry-standard practices such as salted hashing with strong cryptographic algorithms. The lack of encryption or obfuscation in the password storage process creates an attack surface that can be exploited by any entity with access to the file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized users to gain full access to the EFTP system and potentially escalate privileges within the network. Attackers who gain access to the eftp2users.dat file can immediately authenticate as any user within the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability also creates challenges for incident response and forensic analysis, as the plaintext credentials provide attackers with clear evidence of the system's security posture. Organizations using EFTP version 2.0.7.337 face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposure of sensitive authentication information. This flaw represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of the application and demonstrates poor security engineering practices that could be exploited across multiple attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper password hashing mechanisms using strong cryptographic algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, with appropriate salt values for each password. System administrators should also ensure that the eftp2users.dat file is properly secured through file system permissions, restricting access to only authorized system processes and administrators. Regular security audits should verify that no plaintext credentials are stored within application files, and that all authentication data is properly encrypted at rest. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security standards and best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B for digital identity management and authentication. This issue serves as a reminder that even legacy applications require proper security hardening and that organizations must maintain vigilance in protecting sensitive data through appropriate cryptographic measures and access controls.