CVE-2004-0282 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Crob FTP daemon 3.5.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) by repeatedly connecting to and disconnecting from the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0282 affects the Crob FTP daemon version 3.5.2, representing a classic denial of service flaw that exploits connection handling mechanisms within the file transfer protocol server implementation. This vulnerability resides in the daemon's inability to properly manage repeated connection and disconnection sequences, creating a condition where malicious actors can systematically disrupt service availability through repetitive network interactions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with weak resource management and inadequate state tracking within the FTP server's connection handling code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and cleanup procedures during the connection lifecycle management. When remote attackers repeatedly establish and terminate connections to the FTP daemon, the server fails to properly release allocated resources or reset internal connection states, leading to a gradual degradation of system stability. This behavior creates a memory leak condition or resource exhaustion scenario where the daemon eventually becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the disconnect phase of the connection process, where the daemon does not properly handle the cleanup of connection-related data structures, causing cumulative resource consumption that ultimately results in service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to encompass broader system availability concerns within network infrastructure environments. Organizations relying on the Crob FTP daemon for file transfer operations face potential business disruption when attackers exploit this flaw, particularly in scenarios where continuous availability is critical. The vulnerability's exploitability is relatively straightforward, requiring only basic network connectivity and the ability to establish multiple connection attempts, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This characteristic transforms what might otherwise be a minor implementation flaw into a significant security concern for systems where FTP services are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0282 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the vendor, as this represents a known vulnerability with documented exploitation methods. Organizations should implement connection rate limiting mechanisms at network boundaries to prevent rapid successive connection attempts that could trigger the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures can further reduce exposure by limiting direct access to FTP services from potentially malicious sources. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual connection patterns or rapid connection/disconnection sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-116 for improper resource management and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, emphasizing the importance of proper resource handling and connection state management in server applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious connection patterns that match the characteristics of this specific denial of service exploit.