CVE-2004-2675 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
ArGoSoft FTP Server before 1.4.1.6 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a SITE PASS command with a long password parameter, which causes the database to be corrupted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The CVE-2004-2675 vulnerability affects the ArGoSoft FTP Server version 1.4.1.5 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of the SITE PASS command, which is used to modify user passwords within the FTP server's authentication system. The flaw manifests when an attacker sends a maliciously crafted SITE PASS command containing an excessively long password parameter, causing the server to crash and become unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer management within the ArGoSoft FTP Server's password processing mechanism. When the server receives the SITE PASS command with an overly long password parameter, it fails to properly handle the excessive data length, leading to memory corruption and subsequent application crash. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the server's internal database structures become corrupted due to the unbounded input handling. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, meaning that only users with valid credentials can exploit this weakness, though this does not mitigate the severity of the impact.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2675 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged to create persistent availability issues for organizations relying on the affected FTP server. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the ArGoSoft FTP Server to crash completely, requiring manual restart to restore service. This can result in significant downtime for legitimate users attempting to access files, particularly in environments where FTP services are critical for business operations. The vulnerability's exploitation can be automated, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can repeatedly trigger the denial of service condition, potentially leading to sustained service unavailability.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a failure in input validation practices. The issue also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through exploitation of application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ArGoSoft FTP Server version 1.4.1.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing access controls that limit the ability of authenticated users to execute SITE commands, and establish monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns of SITE PASS command usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in server applications, particularly those handling user authentication data.