CVE-2003-0342 in BlackMoon FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
BlackMoon FTP Server 2.6 Free Edition, and possibly other distributions and versions, stores user names and passwords in plaintext in the blackmoon.mdb file, which can allow local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0342 represents a critical security flaw in the BlackMoon FTP Server 2.6 Free Edition and potentially other variants of the software. This issue stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the application's database structure, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the BlackMoon FTP Server is installed and configured with the default settings that store user authentication information in an unencrypted format.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the blackmoon.mdb file which serves as the database storage mechanism for user account information within the FTP server application. This database file contains plaintext credentials including usernames and passwords, which violates fundamental security principles for credential storage. The plaintext storage approach means that any user with access to the file system can directly read these sensitive credentials without requiring any specialized tools or techniques to decrypt the information. This represents a classic violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security engineering practices in the application's design.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe privilege escalation risk for local attackers who can gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially elevate their privileges within the system. The local user access requirement means that an attacker must already have some level of access to the system, but once achieved, they can leverage the plaintext credentials to access any accounts stored in the database. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of plaintext credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.001 for Valid Accounts - Default Accounts, as attackers can exploit the stored credentials to gain unauthorized access.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary remediation involves either upgrading to a newer version of the BlackMoon FTP Server that properly encrypts credentials or implementing additional access controls to restrict file system access to the blackmoon.mdb file. Organizations should also consider implementing mandatory access controls, file permissions, and regular security audits to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, the use of centralized authentication systems and credential management solutions can help reduce the risk of credential exposure in such scenarios. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper credential handling mechanisms as outlined in security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The flaw demonstrates how simple oversights in application design can create significant security risks that may be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise.