CVE-2005-2159 in PlanetFileServer
Summary
by MITRE
mshftp.dll in PlanetDNS PlanetFileServer 2.0.1.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2159 affects the mshftp.dll component within PlanetDNS PlanetFileServer version 2.0.1.3, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests through improper input validation. This flaw exists within the file transfer protocol handling mechanism of the PlanetFileServer application, specifically targeting the FTP service implementation that utilizes the mshftp.dll library. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or limit the length of incoming FTP requests, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted input can trigger memory corruption. The issue falls under the category of CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, indicating out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to application instability. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the affected FTP server without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be initiated from any remote location, making it an ideal candidate for distributed denial of service scenarios or simple service disruption attacks. The implementation of this vulnerability in the mshftp.dll component suggests a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling architecture, where the software fails to perform adequate bounds checking on user-supplied data before processing. The impact of exploitation manifests as an application crash, which translates directly into a denial of service condition that can render the FTP service unavailable to legitimate users. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, as the application does not properly validate or sanitize data received from external sources. The affected PlanetFileServer version 2.0.1.3 represents a legacy system that likely lacks modern security mitigations such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or other exploit prevention mechanisms that would typically be present in more recent software versions. The attack scenario involves sending a specially crafted FTP request containing an excessively long payload to the target server, which triggers the buffer overflow condition in the mshftp.dll library. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where FTP services are commonly used for file transfers and data exchange, as it can effectively disable critical file sharing capabilities. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall within the T1499 category, specifically T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, which encompasses techniques that target application or system resources to prevent legitimate use. From a mitigation standpoint, organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to a newer version of PlanetFileServer that addresses this buffer overflow condition. The most effective immediate mitigation involves implementing network-level restrictions such as firewall rules that limit FTP access to trusted sources, while also monitoring for unusual patterns of FTP traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on malformed FTP requests containing excessively long parameters can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of legacy applications, particularly those handling network protocols that are frequently targeted by attackers. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of known vulnerable components, and establish regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues in other legacy systems. The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical need for maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface of legacy applications while ensuring continued operational functionality.