CVE-2004-2400 in winftp Server
Summary
by MITRE
winftp server 1.6 stores username and password credentials in plaintext in the data\user.wfd file which allows local users to gain access to the credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2400 represents a critical security flaw in the winftp server version 1.6 where authentication credentials are stored in an unencrypted format within the data\user.wfd file. This configuration fundamentally undermines the security posture of the ftp server by creating a persistent exposure point that can be exploited by any local user with access to the system. The plaintext storage of credentials creates an inherent weakness that directly violates security best practices for credential management and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
This technical flaw constitutes a classic example of poor cryptographic implementation and insecure data storage practices that fall under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The vulnerability exists because the winftp server application fails to implement proper encryption or hashing mechanisms for storing user authentication data, instead choosing to maintain credentials in their original readable format. The local user access requirement for exploitation reduces the attack surface complexity but does not eliminate the severity of the exposure, as local access often represents a significant compromise in system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the ftp server resources. Once local users obtain access to the data\user.wfd file, they can immediately leverage the stolen credentials to authenticate to the ftp server and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access and T1078.002 for valid accounts, as it enables unauthorized access through legitimate authentication mechanisms. The persistent nature of the stored credentials means that even if users change their passwords, the old credentials remain accessible in the plaintext file, creating an ongoing security risk.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching the winftp server to version 1.6 or later, which should address the plaintext credential storage issue. System administrators should also implement file system permissions controls to restrict access to the data\user.wfd file, ensuring that only authorized processes can read the credential information. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their ftp server implementations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may store credentials in unencrypted formats. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper credential management practices and demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate such configuration weaknesses.