CVE-2005-2898 in FileZilla
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** NOTE: this issue has been disputed by the vendor. FileZilla 2.2.14b and 2.2.15, and possibly earlier versions, when "Use secure mode" is disabled, uses a weak encryption scheme to store the user s password in the configuration settings file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information. NOTE: the vendor has disputed the issue, stating that "the problem is not a vulnerability at all, but infact a fundamental issue of every single program that can store passwords transparently."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2898 pertains to FileZilla versions 2.2.14b and 2.2.15, with potential prevalence in earlier releases, where the software employs weak encryption mechanisms for password storage when the "Use secure mode" feature is disabled. This configuration flaw creates a significant security risk by storing user credentials in an easily accessible format within the application's configuration settings file. The issue represents a fundamental design weakness in how the software handles sensitive authentication data, particularly when operating in non-secure modes where encryption is intentionally bypassed. The vendor has disputed this classification, arguing that the behavior is inherent to all programs capable of transparently storing passwords, suggesting that the vulnerability is not a security flaw but rather a design characteristic of password storage mechanisms. However, this perspective fails to account for the specific implementation details and the weak encryption algorithms employed by FileZilla, which make password recovery significantly easier than would be expected from properly secured applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from FileZilla's use of weak encryption or even plain text storage for passwords when secure mode is disabled, creating a situation where local users can directly access the configuration file and extract stored credentials without requiring sophisticated attack techniques. This approach violates fundamental security principles outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, specifically relating to CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-521 (Weak Password Requirements), where applications fail to adequately protect authentication credentials. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised passwords can lead to unauthorized access to FTP servers, potential lateral movement within networks, and escalation of privileges if the stolen credentials are valid for multiple systems. Attackers exploiting this weakness can easily retrieve stored passwords through simple file system access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access is possible.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1003 (Credential Dumping), where adversaries can extract password information from application configuration files. The weak encryption scheme employed by FileZilla creates an environment where even basic file system access can yield sensitive information, violating the principle of least privilege and proper access controls. This vulnerability demonstrates poor security engineering practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust encryption for sensitive data at rest, as recommended by security standards such as NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001. The vendor's dispute of the vulnerability classification is problematic because it dismisses legitimate security concerns regarding weak encryption implementation, particularly when the software provides users with explicit options to disable security features that could lead to credential exposure. Organizations using FileZilla should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access to configuration files, while also evaluating alternative FTP clients that properly implement strong encryption for credential storage regardless of user configuration choices.