CVE-2005-0278 in 3CDaemon
Summary
by MITRE
The FTP service in 3Com 3CDaemon 2.0 revision 10 allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via a cd command that contains an MS-DOS device name, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0278 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the FTP service of 3Com 3CDaemon version 2.0 revision 10. This weakness stems from the improper handling of MS-DOS device names within the cd command functionality of the FTP daemon, creating a pathway for remote attackers to extract sensitive system information. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the inherent behavior of MS-DOS device names such as CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, and COM1 through COM9, which are typically reserved for system devices and should not be accessible through standard file operations. When an attacker submits a cd command containing one of these device names, the 3CDaemon service processes the request and inadvertently generates error messages that expose the complete installation path of the FTP service on the target system. This information disclosure represents a fundamental security flaw that violates the principle of least privilege and can significantly aid attackers in planning subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with the exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which focuses on discovering system information through file and directory enumeration. The exposure of the installation path provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be used to identify potential attack vectors, understand the software architecture, and potentially locate other vulnerabilities within the same software ecosystem. This type of information disclosure is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with specific knowledge about the target environment's configuration, enabling more sophisticated and targeted attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper error handling within the FTP service implementation. The 3CDaemon service fails to properly sanitize or validate the input provided to the cd command, specifically when dealing with MS-DOS device names that are not intended to be used as regular file paths. When the service encounters these device names, it attempts to process them as if they were regular directory references, leading to error conditions that are then exposed to the remote user. The error message generation process does not adequately filter or obscure sensitive path information, resulting in the complete installation path being revealed to any remote user who can connect to the FTP service. This flaw indicates a lack of proper security controls in the error handling mechanism and reflects poor software development practices that fail to consider the potential for malicious input. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard FTP client tools, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with limited expertise. The service's behavior demonstrates a failure to implement proper access controls and input validation, allowing an attacker to bypass normal security boundaries through seemingly innocuous commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks and compromises the overall security posture of systems running the affected FTP service. Once an attacker has obtained the installation path, they can use this information to conduct further reconnaissance, potentially identifying other services running on the same system, understanding the software version and configuration, and planning more targeted exploitation attempts. The exposure of the installation path can also aid in identifying potential privilege escalation opportunities or other vulnerabilities within the software ecosystem. This vulnerability affects systems that are not properly patched or updated, leaving them susceptible to information disclosure attacks that can be automated and executed at scale. Organizations running 3Com 3CDaemon 2.0 revision 10 are particularly vulnerable because the service does not implement proper input sanitization or error handling that would prevent the leakage of sensitive path information. The impact is further compounded by the fact that FTP services are often accessible from external networks, making this vulnerability exploitable by anyone with network access to the affected system. This type of vulnerability can also contribute to broader security incidents by providing attackers with the information needed to conduct more advanced reconnaissance and potentially compromise other systems within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0278 should focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation controls. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to a patched version of the 3Com 3CDaemon software that properly handles MS-DOS device names and does not expose installation paths in error messages. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to FTP services and ensure that only authorized users can connect to these services. The implementation of proper input validation controls within the FTP service is crucial, requiring that all commands including cd commands be properly sanitized to reject or properly handle MS-DOS device names without generating error messages that reveal system information. Network-based mitigations such as firewall rules can be implemented to restrict access to the FTP service to trusted IP addresses only, while also monitoring for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable services and ensure that proper error handling is implemented across all network services. The remediation process should also include configuration reviews to ensure that FTP services are not running with unnecessary privileges and that error messages do not contain sensitive information. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for patterns consistent with exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper error handling design principles and demonstrates that even seemingly minor security flaws can have significant operational impacts when exploited by malicious actors.