CVE-2003-0392 in FTP Service
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ST FTP Service 3.0 allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a CD command with a DoS drive letter argument (e.g. E:).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0392 represents a directory traversal flaw within the ST FTP Service version 3.0 that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This issue specifically manifests when the service processes a CD command with a drive letter argument, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to access directory structures beyond the intended file system boundaries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and path resolution mechanisms within the FTP service implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to enumerate and potentially access sensitive files and directories that should remain restricted.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the CD command functionality within the FTP service. When an attacker issues a CD command with a drive letter argument such as E:, the service fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before processing directory changes. This inadequate validation allows the attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and access directories that would normally be protected or restricted. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal issue under CWE-22, which specifically addresses the improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for organizations running the affected ST FTP Service version 3.0. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to perform directory listing operations on arbitrary system locations, potentially exposing sensitive data, configuration files, or system directories. The ability to traverse directories without proper authorization undermines fundamental security principles of access control and data protection, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or credentials.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for Application Layer Protocol: File Transfer Protocol. This classification indicates that the exploitation occurs through legitimate FTP protocol interactions but leverages implementation flaws to achieve unauthorized access. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to FTP services, particularly when they are running vulnerable versions of software. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in network services, as highlighted by industry standards that emphasize the need for robust sanitization of user inputs to prevent such path manipulation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the ST FTP Service to a version that addresses the directory traversal flaw. Organizations should also implement network-based controls such as firewall rules that restrict FTP service access to trusted network segments and limit the exposure of FTP services to external networks. Monitoring and logging of FTP commands, particularly those involving directory changes, can help detect exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable services and ensure that all network services implement proper input validation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of known security flaws.