CVE-2005-2726 in Home Ftp Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Home Ftp Server 1.0.7 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via "C:\" (Windows drive letter) sequences in commands such as (1) LIST or (2) RETR.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2726 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Home Ftp Server version 1.0.7 that affects Windows-based file transfer operations. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of file path resolution when processing FTP commands, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw manifests when the server processes commands containing Windows drive letter sequences such as "C:\" within file operations like LIST and RETR, which are standard FTP commands used to list directory contents and retrieve files respectively.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the Home Ftp Server's command processing logic. When an authenticated user submits an FTP command containing a Windows drive letter path, the server fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before resolving the file path. This allows attackers to manipulate the path resolution mechanism to traverse directories beyond the server's intended access boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the LIST command which enumerates directory contents and the RETR command which retrieves files, both of which are fundamental FTP operations that rely on proper path handling to maintain security boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to potentially access sensitive files that should remain protected within the server's file system. The attack vector requires only authentication to the FTP server, meaning that any user with valid credentials can exploit this weakness to read arbitrary files from the system. This could include configuration files, user data, application files, or even system-level information that could be used for further exploitation or information gathering. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal file access controls and potentially escalate their privileges or extract confidential information from the server's file system.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness is particularly dangerous in network services like FTP servers where file access is a core function and where attackers can leverage legitimate protocols to access unauthorized resources. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as attackers can use this vulnerability to access additional resources after gaining initial authentication access. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access control lists, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of this type of vulnerability. The recommended mitigation includes upgrading to a patched version of Home Ftp Server, implementing proper input validation, and restricting FTP server access to trusted networks only. Additionally, administrators should monitor FTP server logs for suspicious path traversal attempts and consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts.