CVE-2002-1851 in WS_FTP Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WS_FTP Pro 7.5 allows remote attackers to execute code on a client system via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1851 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in WS_FTP Pro version 7.5, a widely used file transfer client application developed by Washington State University. This vulnerability exists within the client-side software that facilitates file transfers over ftp protocols and creates a significant security risk for systems running this particular version. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes certain data inputs without proper boundary checking, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WS_FTP Pro client software. When the application receives specially crafted data packets or malformed responses from ftp servers, it fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic programming error allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and executable code segments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote attackers to craft specific attack vectors that can trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal ftp operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be initiated without requiring local system access or user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1851 extends beyond simple data corruption, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and remote code execution on vulnerable client systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the compromised system, potentially escalating privileges to system-level access, installing backdoors, or executing arbitrary commands. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns. This vulnerability essentially transforms any system running WS_FTP Pro 7.5 into a potential entry point for broader network infiltration attempts.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability would be categorized under the attack technique of code injection within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically falling under the category of execution through exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of vendor patches or updates to WS_FTP Pro versions that address this buffer overflow issue, along with network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider disabling ftp protocols where possible, while maintaining strict access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components.