CVE-2003-0755 in gtkftpd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in sys_cmd.c for gtkftpd 1.0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by creating long directory names and listing them with a LIST command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0755 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the gtkftpd FTP server software version 1.0.4 and earlier. This issue resides in the sys_cmd.c source file and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has been prevalent in network services for decades. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of directory listings where the ftp server processes long directory names through the LIST command. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size management within the ftp server's directory listing functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ftp server's failure to properly validate the length of directory names before processing them in the LIST command response. When an attacker crafts excessively long directory names and submits them to the ftp server, the server's buffer management fails to handle this oversized input properly. This results in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the ftp daemon process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to ftp server security.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running vulnerable versions of gtkftpd. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the fundamental integrity of the ftp service and can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations using affected versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive files, and disruption of services. The exploitability of this vulnerability is high due to the remote nature of the attack vector and the lack of authentication requirements.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.002 for valid accounts and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader ftp server security practices and implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious directory listing activities. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of vendor patches for gtkftpd version 1.0.5 or later, which address the buffer overflow issue. Network administrators should implement proper input validation and length restrictions on ftp directory names, along with monitoring for unusual directory listing patterns. Additional security measures include deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, implementing firewall rules to restrict ftp access, and conducting regular security assessments of ftp server configurations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in network services and the critical need for regular security updates and patch management processes.