CVE-2002-1943 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
SafeTP 1.46, when network address translation (NAT) is being used, leaks the internal IP address of the FTP server in a response to a passive mode (PASV) file transfer request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1943 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within SafeTP 1.46 software that operates in network address translation environments. This issue specifically manifests during FTP operations when the system employs passive mode (PASV) file transfer requests, creating an unintended exposure of internal network infrastructure details. The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of network address translation mechanisms, which are commonly deployed in corporate and organizational networks to manage internal and external network communications effectively.
The technical flaw stems from SafeTP 1.46's failure to properly sanitize or mask internal IP addresses when responding to passive mode FTP requests. When an FTP client establishes a connection using passive mode, it typically requests the server to open a data port for file transfers, and the server responds with its own IP address and port number. In NAT environments, this response should contain the external-facing IP address that clients use to connect to the server. However, SafeTP 1.46 incorrectly returns the internal IP address of the FTP server, effectively leaking sensitive network topology information to external parties who may be monitoring or attempting to probe the network infrastructure.
This information disclosure vulnerability directly impacts network security posture by providing attackers with critical internal network mapping data that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. The leaked internal IP address serves as a valuable piece of intelligence for threat actors planning reconnaissance activities, as it reveals the actual network structure and internal addressing scheme of the affected organization. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-200: Information Exposure, which encompasses any situation where information that should not be accessible to an attacker is exposed through improper access control or information handling mechanisms. The exposure of internal IP addresses through FTP passive mode responses creates a pathway for attackers to bypass certain network security controls and understand the underlying network architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including port scanning, network mapping, and targeted exploitation attempts. An attacker who obtains the internal IP address can use this information to conduct more precise reconnaissance, potentially identifying other services running on the same host or network segment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using NAT configurations, which are prevalent in enterprise environments and small to medium businesses that implement network address translation for security and IP address management purposes. The issue can be exploited through various attack techniques that fall under the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance phase, specifically targeting network scanning and discovery activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1943 should focus on implementing proper network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of internal network information. Organizations should consider updating to newer versions of SafeTP software that properly handle NAT environments and passive mode FTP requests without leaking internal addressing information. Network administrators should also implement proper firewall rules and access control lists to prevent unauthorized external access to internal network services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper information hiding mechanisms in network protocols and the need for thorough security testing of network applications in NAT environments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unusual FTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.