CVE-2004-2674 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ArGoSoft FTP Server before 1.4.1.6 allows remote authenticated users to determine the existence of arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the SITE UNZIP argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The CVE-2004-2674 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the ArGoSoft FTP Server software that existed prior to version 1.4.1.6. This vulnerability specifically affects the SITE UNZIP command implementation and allows authenticated remote attackers to exploit file system path traversal mechanisms. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the server's handling of the UNZIP command argument, where the software fails to properly sanitize or restrict directory navigation sequences. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by constructing malicious ".." sequences within the SITE UNZIP argument to traverse the file system hierarchy and determine whether specific files or directories exist on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The security implications extend beyond simple file enumeration to potentially enable attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should not be accessible through normal FTP operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated connection to the FTP server, meaning that attackers must first establish valid credentials to the system. However, the low barrier to entry for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be combined with other attack vectors or used in conjunction with credential theft techniques. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes the SITE UNZIP command, which typically handles archive extraction operations. When processing the UNZIP command argument, the server does not properly validate or sanitize the input to prevent directory traversal sequences, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This weakness creates a path traversal condition that can be exploited to access files beyond the normal FTP access boundaries, effectively bypassing the normal file system access controls that should protect sensitive system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as it can be used to escalate privileges through information gathering and potentially lead to further system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attacks including system compromise and data exfiltration. While the vulnerability primarily allows for file existence checking rather than direct file reading or execution, it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the server's file system structure. This reconnaissance capability can be used to identify sensitive files, configuration data, or system resources that may be exploitable through other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where the FTP server is used for legitimate file transfers, as attackers can use this information to target specific files or directories for more advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations running vulnerable versions of ArGoSoft FTP Server should be aware that this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in security design, as the software should not allow arbitrary file system traversal even when authenticated. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security updates and patch management, as the issue was resolved in version 1.4.1.6, making timely patch deployment essential for maintaining system security. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of such flaws in environments where multiple services are running.