CVE-2003-0500 in ProFTPD
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the PostgreSQL authentication module (mod_sql_postgres) for ProFTPD before 1.2.9rc1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL and gain privileges by bypassing authentication or stealing passwords via the USER name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0500 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PostgreSQL authentication module of ProFTPD software. This issue affects versions prior to 1.2.9rc1 and exposes the system to remote exploitation through carefully crafted USER authentication requests. The flaw specifically resides in the mod_sql_postgres module which handles PostgreSQL database authentication for the ProFTPD server, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the authentication process. When a user attempts to authenticate through ProFTPD using the PostgreSQL backend, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the USER parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context, effectively bypassing the standard authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application level where user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors for threat actors. Successful exploitation can result in complete unauthorized access to the PostgreSQL database containing user credentials and authentication information. Attackers can leverage this to steal passwords, modify user accounts, escalate privileges, or even gain root access to the underlying system if database permissions are elevated. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing FTP servers.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1110.003 (Password Policy Violations) and T1078 (Valid Accounts). The CWE classification for this issue would be CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, highlighting the fundamental flaw in input handling and query construction. Organizations running affected ProFTPD versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized system access, particularly in environments where FTP services are exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to ProFTPD version 1.2.9rc1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection flaw. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of FTP services, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns, and consider implementing additional authentication layers such as SSH key authentication or two-factor authentication. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation, while proper logging and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts and SQL injection activities.