CVE-2002-0895 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in MatuFtpServer 1.1.3.0 (1.1.3) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long PASS (password) command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0895 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within MatuFtpServer version 1.1.3.0, specifically manifesting in the handling of the PASS command used during FTP authentication. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The buffer overflow occurs when an attacker sends an excessively long password string in the PASS command, causing the application to write beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw demonstrates a classic security weakness in legacy software implementations where developers did not adequately consider the potential for malicious input manipulation during authentication processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution within the target system. When the buffer overflow occurs during password processing, it can corrupt critical program memory structures including return addresses, function pointers, and other control data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by carefully crafting malicious input that not only triggers the overflow but also manipulates the program flow to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected FTP service. This represents a significant threat to system integrity and confidentiality, particularly in environments where FTP servers handle sensitive data or serve as entry points for broader network exploitation. The vulnerability affects systems running the specific MatuFtpServer version and poses a risk to organizations that have not updated their legacy FTP implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through software exploitation, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0895 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of MatuFtpServer or migrating to more modern and secure FTP implementations that properly handle input validation. The implementation of input length restrictions for password fields represents a fundamental defensive measure that prevents the overflow condition from occurring. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting direct access to FTP services from untrusted networks. Security monitoring should include detection of unusually long password strings in FTP authentication attempts, which could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of legacy systems. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious FTP protocol behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Proper software lifecycle management practices, including regular security audits and timely patch deployment, are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other legacy applications.