CVE-2003-1075 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the FTP server (in.ftpd) for Solaris 2.6 through 9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (temporary FTP server hang), which affects other active mode FTP clients.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1075 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the Solaris FTP server implementation known as in.ftpd. This flaw affects a broad range of Solaris operating system versions from 2.6 through 9, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these systems in enterprise environments. The vulnerability manifests specifically in the handling of active mode FTP connections, where the FTP server becomes unresponsive and temporarily hangs when processing certain client requests. This behavior directly impacts the availability of the FTP service and creates operational disruptions for legitimate users who depend on file transfer capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of network connection states during active mode FTP operations. When clients attempt to establish connections using the active mode protocol, the in.ftpd server fails to properly manage the connection lifecycle, leading to a temporary hang condition. This flaw operates at the protocol level and does not appear to involve authentication bypasses or privilege escalation capabilities, but rather focuses on service availability. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service condition that affects the operational integrity of the FTP service and impacts concurrent FTP client operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption for organizations relying on FTP services for file transfers and data exchange. The temporary hanging of the FTP server affects all active mode FTP clients connected to the system, potentially causing cascading effects throughout network operations that depend on file transfer capabilities. Network administrators face challenges in maintaining service availability, as the vulnerability can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge of the system. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affecting business continuity when critical file transfer operations are disrupted.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper access to memory locations and improper handling of network protocol states. It also relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks targeting services. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Solaris patches and updates provided by Oracle. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit exposure by restricting FTP service access to trusted networks. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual FTP service behavior and connection patterns can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network services and ensure comprehensive protection against similar denial of service threats.