CVE-2002-1522 in PowerFTP
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PowerFTP FTP server 2.24, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long USER argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1522 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in PowerFTP FTP server version 2.24 and potentially other iterations within the product line. This security weakness manifests specifically during the processing of USER command arguments within the FTP protocol implementation, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the software's failure to properly validate input length. The buffer overflow occurs when the server receives an excessively long USER argument, causing memory corruption that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on data buffers. The flaw exploits the fundamental principle that the PowerFTP server does not adequately enforce length limits on user input, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's execution space. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, stack corruption, or more severely in cases where the overflow is carefully crafted, arbitrary code execution becomes possible.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1522 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for any system running the affected FTP server software. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only a single connection to the FTP service with a specially crafted USER command argument, making it highly accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that FTP servers typically operate with elevated privileges and may be accessible from untrusted networks, creating multiple attack surfaces for exploitation.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting weaknesses in remote services to gain system access. The attack pattern follows a typical remote exploitation workflow where the attacker establishes connection to the vulnerable FTP service and sends a malformed USER command. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499 which encompasses denial of service attacks, as the primary impact includes service disruption and potential system compromise. Organizations running PowerFTP server software should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious FTP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in network services, particularly those handling user authentication data. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all FTP services are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities in the software supply chain.