CVE-2005-2634 in WinFtp Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Log-SCR function in the "Log to Screen" feature in WinFtp Server 1.6.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2634 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the WinFtp Server 1.6.8 software implementation. This security weakness specifically affects the Log-SCR function that handles logging operations to the screen display feature. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the server's logging mechanism, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the Log-SCR function processes incoming requests without adequate length verification or memory allocation checks. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted request containing an excessively long payload, the function fails to properly handle the oversized input, leading to memory corruption within the application's execution context. This fundamental flaw in input handling aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as a primary concern in software security design. The vulnerability exists because the system does not properly validate the length of incoming data before attempting to store it in allocated memory buffers, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. When the buffer overflow occurs during the Log-SCR function execution, the application crashes and becomes unavailable to legitimate users, resulting in a denial of service attack. However, the more severe implications arise when attackers can manipulate the overflow to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code within the server's memory space. This capability transforms the vulnerability from a mere availability threat into a significant compromise risk for the entire server infrastructure.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and execution techniques. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target the server without requiring local access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible ftp services. The attack vector involves sending maliciously formatted requests to the WinFtp Server, which then processes these inputs through the vulnerable Log-SCR function, ultimately leading to either application crash or potential code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2634 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from the vendor, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of WinFtp Server. Network-level defenses including firewall rules that restrict access to ftp services and intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious request patterns can provide additional protection layers. Implementing proper input validation mechanisms and memory protection features such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization can help prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of ftp servers and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process must include thorough testing of updated software versions to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues while effectively addressing the buffer overflow condition.