CVE-2005-1484 in Golden FTP server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Golden FTP server pro 2.52 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a "\.." (backward slash dot dot) with a leading " (double quote) in the GET command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The CVE-2005-1484 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Golden FTP Server Pro version 2.52 that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the GET command processing where the server fails to properly validate and sanitize input containing directory traversal sequences. The exploitation technique involves crafting malicious requests with a combination of a leading double quote character followed by the classic "\.." sequence, which bypasses normal path validation mechanisms and allows unauthorized file access.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exploits the server's inadequate input sanitization and path resolution logic, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries. When the FTP server processes the malformed GET command, it does not properly normalize or validate the file path, enabling attackers to reference files outside of the designated FTP root directory. The vulnerability specifically affects the GET command implementation and demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the server's file system without authentication. This could potentially expose sensitive configuration files, user credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as attackers can extract information that should remain protected. Additionally, this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, potentially allowing privilege escalation or system compromise. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to exploit this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1484 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the FTP server software. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the Golden FTP Server Pro to version 2.53 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to the FTP service, while monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The implementation of proper path validation should include normalization of file paths, rejection of suspicious sequences, and enforcement of strict access controls. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on unusual file access attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: File Transfer Protocol, highlighting the need for proper protocol implementation and validation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems to detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network services and applications.