CVE-2005-2599 in Connectivity
Summary
by MITRE
Hummingbird FTP for Connectivity 10.0 uses weak encryption (trivial encoding) to store the user s password in the FTP profile, which allows attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2599 affects Hummingbird FTP for Connectivity version 10.0, a network communication tool designed for file transfer operations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in how the application handles credential storage, specifically targeting the protection mechanisms employed for user authentication data. The vulnerability stems from the application's implementation of weak encryption methodologies that fail to provide adequate security for sensitive information. The system stores user passwords within FTP profiles using what is described as "trivial encoding" rather than robust cryptographic protection, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the security posture of the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to employ proper encryption standards when storing user credentials. Instead of utilizing industry-standard cryptographic algorithms such as AES or RSA with sufficient key lengths, the software employs trivial encoding methods that can be easily reversed or decoded by unauthorized parties. This weakness directly violates security best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards including those referenced in CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations. The trivial encoding approach essentially provides no real security boundary, making stored credentials immediately accessible to anyone who can access the configuration files or memory structures containing these passwords. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates poor understanding of secure credential handling principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. Attackers who can exploit this weakness gain access to legitimate user credentials, which can then be used to authenticate to FTP servers and potentially access additional network resources. This vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited repeatedly without detection, as the weak encoding does not provide any meaningful protection against unauthorized access attempts. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where FTP connectivity tools are frequently used for business-critical operations, as compromised credentials can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive systems, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various methods including the exploitation of weak encryption mechanisms in software applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through multiple approaches including software updates, configuration changes, and administrative procedures. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of Hummingbird FTP for Connectivity that implement proper encryption standards for credential storage. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential usage patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive credential rotation for all affected systems, ensuring that any previously compromised credentials are invalidated and replaced with new secure credentials. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of other applications within their environment to identify similar weak encryption implementations, as this vulnerability represents a broader pattern of insecure credential handling practices that may exist in other software components. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential damage from credential compromise, while regular security audits should verify that all applications employ appropriate cryptographic protections for sensitive data storage.