CVE-2004-0286 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in RobotFTP 1.0 and 2.0 beta 1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0286 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting RobotFTP versions 1.0 and 2.0 beta 1. This security weakness resides within the application's handling of user authentication credentials, specifically when processing username inputs during the FTP connection process. The buffer overflow occurs when an attacker submits a username string that exceeds the allocated memory buffer size, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crash.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory. The flaw specifically impacts the FTP client functionality of RobotFTP, making it susceptible to exploitation through network-based attacks that do not require authentication. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter without needing physical access or prior system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0286 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable complete system compromise. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process, typically running with elevated permissions. This creates a significant risk for systems where RobotFTP is deployed, as the compromise could lead to unauthorized data access, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism, making it particularly dangerous for environments where FTP services are actively used for file transfers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected RobotFTP installations to version 2.0 beta 2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of FTP services to trusted networks only. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed username inputs and monitoring for unusual connection patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploiting weaknesses in remote services, and should be complemented with comprehensive vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues in other applications. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation measures at network boundaries to filter out excessively long username strings before they reach the vulnerable application.