CVE-2004-1280 in FTP Client
Summary
by MITRE
The gui_popup_view_fly function in gui_tview_popup.c for junkie 0.3.1 allows remote malicious FTP servers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1280 represents a critical command injection flaw within the junkie 0.3.1 network monitoring tool. This issue specifically affects the gui_popup_view_fly function located in the gui_tview_popup.c source file, which handles the display of popup views for network traffic data. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing filenames received from FTP servers, creating an avenue for remote code execution attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when malicious FTP servers craft filenames containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. When the gui_popup_view_fly function processes these filenames, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands that execute with the privileges of the user running the junkie application. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of junkie without requiring authentication or prior access. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further network infiltration. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges beyond the ability to establish an FTP connection to a target system, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.004 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically involves establishing an FTP connection to a target system, crafting malicious filenames with shell metacharacters, and then triggering the vulnerable function through normal network traffic monitoring operations. The vulnerability affects systems where junkie is used for network traffic analysis and monitoring, particularly in environments where FTP traffic is processed without proper security controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable software to address the input validation flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit FTP access to critical systems and deploy network monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious FTP traffic patterns. Additionally, system administrators should disable unnecessary FTP services and implement proper input sanitization measures for all external data processing functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper command injection prevention techniques and demonstrates the critical need for input validation in network monitoring tools that process external data sources.