CVE-2005-0797 in Mini FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Novell iChain Mini FTP Server 2.3 displays different error messages if a user exists or not, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and facilitates brute force attacks.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0797 affects Novell iChain Mini FTP Server version 2.3 and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that significantly weakens the security posture of the affected system. This vulnerability manifests through the server's inconsistent error message handling during authentication attempts, where the software provides different responses depending on whether a user account exists within its user database. The root cause of this issue lies in the server's design philosophy that does not implement consistent error handling for authentication failures, creating a scenario where an attacker can distinguish between valid and invalid user accounts through the subtle variations in error messages returned by the FTP server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a predictable pattern that aligns with common brute force attack methodologies and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through error messages. Attackers can systematically test user accounts by sending authentication requests and observing the server's response behavior, thereby enabling them to identify valid user accounts without requiring prior knowledge of the system's user base. This information disclosure creates a significant operational impact that extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with the foundational knowledge necessary to conduct more sophisticated attacks including password spraying, credential stuffing, and targeted brute force campaigns against the identified valid accounts.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given the context of FTP server implementations in enterprise environments where user account management and authentication security are critical components of overall network defense. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a reconnaissance tool that can be automated to quickly enumerate valid user accounts, dramatically reducing the time and effort required to compromise the system through credential-based attacks. This weakness directly impacts the principle of least privilege and authentication security by creating a backdoor that allows unauthorized parties to map the user landscape of the affected system, potentially leading to further privilege escalation attacks or lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing consistent error handling across all authentication interfaces, which aligns with the defensive measures recommended in the ATT&CK framework under the credential access category. System administrators should ensure that all authentication attempts, regardless of whether they result in successful or failed logins, return identical error messages to prevent information leakage. The most effective remediation involves updating the FTP server software to a patched version that implements proper authentication error handling, while also considering the implementation of additional security controls such as account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and intrusion detection systems to further protect against automated attack attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other network services and applications to maintain comprehensive security posture against credential-based threats.