CVE-2005-0547 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
unknown vulnerability in ftpd on hp-ux b.11.00 b.11.04 b.11.11 b.11.22 and b.11.23 allows remote authenticated users to gain "unauthorized access to files."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0547 represents a critical security flaw within the ftpd service running on Hewlett Packard Unix operating system versions b.11.00 through b.11.23. This issue affects a significant range of hp-ux systems where the File Transfer Protocol daemon fails to properly validate file access permissions, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to bypass normal access controls. The flaw specifically targets the authorization mechanisms that should prevent users from accessing files outside their designated directories or permissions scope, effectively allowing malicious actors with valid login credentials to escalate their privileges and access unauthorized file systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the ftpd service components. When authenticated users connect to the ftpd service, the system should enforce strict boundary checks to prevent directory traversal attacks and unauthorized file access attempts. However, the flaw permits attackers to manipulate file access requests in ways that circumvent these protective measures, potentially allowing them to read, write, or execute files that should normally be restricted to specific user groups or administrative access only. This weakness operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the file system access controls that govern how users interact with stored data through the ftp protocol.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0547 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it creates potential for broader system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, user credentials stored in files, or proprietary business information that should remain protected within restricted directories. The vulnerability affects systems where ftpd serves as a primary file transfer mechanism, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where file sharing and remote access capabilities are essential but must remain secure. Organizations running affected hp-ux versions face significant risk of data breaches, system integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure if attackers successfully exploit this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0547 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Hewlett Packard for the affected hp-ux versions, as well as network-level restrictions to limit ftpd service exposure. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor ftpd service logs for suspicious activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes "Path Traversal" or "Directory Traversal" flaws that allow attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. Additionally, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.002, which covers "Valid Accounts: Standard User Accounts" where attackers leverage legitimate credentials to perform unauthorized actions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to reduce the attack surface, disabling unnecessary ftpd services, and conducting thorough security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have already occurred within their environments.