CVE-2004-1277 in IglooFTP
Summary
by MITRE
The download_selection_recursive() function in ftplist.c for IglooFTP 0.6.1 allows remote malicious FTP servers to overwrite arbitrary files via filenames that contain / (slash) characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1277 resides within the IglooFTP 0.6.1 software's ftplist.c component, specifically in the download_selection_recursive() function. This flaw represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that exploits how the application processes filenames containing forward slash characters during FTP directory listing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of filenames received from remote FTP servers, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate file paths to target arbitrary files on the local system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the download_selection_recursive() function fails to properly sanitize or validate filenames that contain slash characters. When an FTP server sends a filename containing forward slashes, the application processes these characters without proper validation, allowing attackers to craft malicious filenames that traverse directory structures. This behavior directly violates secure coding principles and represents a CWE-22 Path Traversal vulnerability where attacker-controllable input is used to access files outside the intended directory scope. The flaw essentially enables an attacker to bypass normal file access controls and overwrite files in locations they would not normally be able to reach.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrites to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. An attacker who controls a malicious FTP server can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or user data files on the victim's machine. This could result in denial of service, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise depending on the target files and system permissions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, allowing attackers to potentially overwrite executables, system libraries, or configuration files that could lead to persistent backdoors or system instability. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through file modification.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1277 should focus on input validation and proper filename sanitization within the download_selection_recursive() function. The most effective approach involves implementing strict validation of filenames received from FTP servers, rejecting or sanitizing any input containing forward slash characters or other path traversal indicators. Additionally, the application should enforce strict directory boundaries during file operations, ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. System administrators should consider implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to potentially malicious FTP servers, and application-level sandboxing to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the software in question is now deprecated and no longer receives security updates. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging of file system operations to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis.