CVE-2005-1485 in Golden FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Golden FTP Server Pro allows 2.52 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a GET request for a file that does not exist, which reveals the absolute path of the FTP server in the resulting FTP error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1485 affects Golden FTP Server Pro version 2.52 and represents a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes critical system details to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides in the server's handling of file access requests and demonstrates how improper error message generation can inadvertently reveal sensitive operational information. The flaw specifically manifests when the FTP server processes a GET request for a non-existent file, causing the system to return an error message that includes the absolute path of the server installation directory. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which encompasses weaknesses related to information exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 focused on data manipulation and information gathering through server-side vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the server's inadequate error handling mechanisms for file access operations. When a client attempts to retrieve a file that does not exist, the Golden FTP Server Pro responds with an error message that contains the absolute path of the server's root directory structure. This occurs because the server's error reporting system fails to sanitize or filter the output before sending it to the requesting client. The absolute path disclosure creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with precise knowledge of the server's directory structure, which can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's response handling for non-existent file requests, where the system does not properly abstract or mask internal directory paths in its error communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly reduces the security posture of systems running the affected FTP server software. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability gain valuable reconnaissance information that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. The disclosed absolute paths may reveal the operating system type, server configuration details, and potentially sensitive directory structures that could aid in privilege escalation or other exploitation techniques. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and information hiding, as it violates the fundamental security concept that internal system details should not be exposed to external entities without proper authorization. The exposure of directory paths can also facilitate directory traversal attacks, where attackers use the disclosed paths to navigate through the server filesystem and potentially access restricted files or directories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling and response sanitization within the FTP server software. System administrators should immediately update to the latest version of Golden FTP Server Pro that addresses this specific issue, as the vendor would have likely implemented proper error message filtering to prevent path disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls such as firewalls that can filter or block FTP traffic to prevent unauthorized access to the vulnerable service. The remediation process should include reviewing all error handling code within the FTP server implementation to ensure that no sensitive system information is exposed in error messages. Additionally, implementing security monitoring that can detect unusual patterns in FTP error messages can help identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and the CERT secure coding standards that emphasize the need for defensive programming techniques to prevent information leakage through error messages and system responses.