CVE-2004-2318 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative interface (surgeftpmgr.cgi) for SurgeFTP Server 1.0b through 2.2k1 allows remote attackers to cause a temporary denial of service (crash) via requests with two percent (%) signs in the CMD parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2318 affects the administrative interface of SurgeFTP Server versions 1.0b through 2.2k1, specifically targeting the surgeftpmgr.cgi component that handles administrative functions. This flaw represents a classic input validation issue that can be exploited to disrupt service availability, demonstrating the critical importance of proper parameter sanitization in web-based administrative interfaces. The vulnerability operates through a specific pattern of input manipulation that causes the application to crash and become temporarily unavailable to legitimate users. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests containing two percent (%) signs within the CMD parameter, which triggers an unexpected behavior in the server's processing logic.
This technical flaw constitutes a remote denial of service vulnerability that operates at the application layer, specifically affecting the web administration interface of the FTP server. The presence of multiple percent signs in the CMD parameter creates a parsing anomaly that leads to the application crashing, effectively rendering the administrative interface unusable. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read or improper input handling issue that falls under the broader category of software defects that can lead to system instability. The specific nature of the crash indicates that the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing it, allowing malicious input to interfere with the normal execution flow of the administrative CGI script.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it compromises the availability of administrative functions critical to server management. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the surgeftpmgr.cgi process to terminate unexpectedly, requiring system administrators to manually restart the service and potentially losing access to critical administrative controls during the downtime. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly problematic in environments where FTP server administration is critical for file management operations, user account management, and system configuration changes. The temporary nature of the crash means that while the service is restored once the process restarts, the window of unavailability can be exploited by attackers to disrupt legitimate administrative activities or to mask other malicious activities.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper error handling in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input buffers, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input sanitization can lead to service disruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries exploit weaknesses in network services to cause temporary unavailability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input filtering at the web server level, application firewalls, or direct patching of the affected software versions. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of administrative interfaces and proper access controls to limit exposure to such attacks.