CVE-2004-1941 in Netfile Ftp Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Fastream NETFile FTP/Web Server 6.5.1.980 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a username that does not exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1941 affects the Fastream NETFile FTP/Web Server version 6.5.1.980, representing a denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers through crafted username inputs. This issue falls under the category of insufficient input validation and weak error handling within network services, where the server fails to properly manage authentication attempts with non-existent user accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how improper handling of authentication failures can be leveraged to disrupt service availability, potentially affecting legitimate users who rely on the FTP/Web server for file transfer operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the Fastream NETFile server processes authentication requests containing usernames that do not exist within its user database. Instead of implementing proper error handling or rate limiting mechanisms, the server continues to process these invalid authentication attempts without adequate protection measures. This behavior creates a condition where an attacker can repeatedly submit requests with non-existent usernames, causing the server to consume excessive system resources in processing these failed authentication attempts. The lack of input sanitization and proper error management allows the server to enter a state where it becomes unresponsive or crashes, effectively rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users who require access to file transfer capabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on the Fastream NETFile server for their file transfer infrastructure. The denial of service condition can result in complete service interruption, preventing authorized users from accessing files, uploading content, or performing essential FTP operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal effort to exploit, as attackers only need to submit invalid usernames without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors. This makes the vulnerability highly attractive to malicious actors seeking to disrupt business operations or cause service degradation. The impact extends beyond simple availability issues, as organizations may experience data access delays, reduced productivity, and potential revenue loss due to service unavailability during attack periods.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that directly contribute to denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," where adversaries leverage weaknesses in service implementations to cause system unavailability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enabling rate limiting for authentication attempts, implementing proper input validation for user credentials, and configuring robust error handling mechanisms that prevent resource exhaustion. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual authentication patterns and implementing account lockout mechanisms after multiple failed attempts can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability while maintaining service availability for legitimate users.