CVE-2004-0341 in wftpd
Summary
by MITRE
WFTPD Pro Server 3.21 Release 1 allocates memory for a command until a 0Ah byte (newline) is sent, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) by continuing to send a long command that does not contain a newline.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0341 affects WFTPD Pro Server version 3.21 Release 1, representing a classic buffer handling flaw that demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices. This issue stems from the server's command processing mechanism which continuously allocates memory to accommodate incoming commands without proper boundary checking. The implementation assumes that all commands will be terminated by a newline character with ascii value 0x0A, creating a fundamental design weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's ability to process user input, particularly in how it manages memory allocation for command buffers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user sends a continuous stream of command data that does not contain the expected newline termination character. The server's memory allocation routine continues to expand the command buffer indefinitely, consuming system resources without proper termination conditions. This behavior results in unbounded memory growth and subsequent CPU exhaustion as the system attempts to process increasingly large command structures. The flaw operates at the protocol level where the server fails to implement proper input sanitization and resource limiting mechanisms, allowing the attacker to consume available system resources through sustained command input without newline termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise the entire server availability and system stability. Local users can leverage this weakness to exhaust system memory and CPU resources, effectively rendering the FTP server unresponsive to legitimate users. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in resource management where the server lacks proper bounds checking and memory allocation limits. This issue represents a type of resource exhaustion attack that can be particularly damaging in environments where the FTP server handles multiple concurrent connections or where the system has limited memory resources. The vulnerability also exposes the server to potential cascading failures that could affect other system services or applications running on the same host.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and resource limiting measures within the server's command processing logic. System administrators should consider applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that address the memory allocation handling in the WFTPD Pro Server. Additionally, implementing network-level restrictions such as rate limiting and connection timeouts can help prevent sustained exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 which describes improper restriction of operations within a bounded memory buffer, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns and CPU usage spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be performed to identify similar memory handling vulnerabilities in other network services.