CVE-2006-5950 in ALFTP FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in ALTools ALFTP FTP Server 4.1 beta 1, and possibly earlier, allows remote authenticated users to obtain the installation path via unknown vectors related to the REN command, probably due to response messages. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; details are obtained from third party sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5950 affects ALTools ALFTP FTP Server version 4.1 beta 1 and potentially earlier versions, representing a security flaw that could be exploited by remote authenticated users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure issues where attackers can gain unauthorized knowledge about the system's internal structure. The specific vector involves the REN command within the FTP protocol implementation, which suggests that the vulnerability stems from how the server handles file renaming operations and responds to client requests.
The technical nature of this flaw indicates that when authenticated users send a REN command to the FTP server, the server's response messages contain sensitive information about the installation path. This represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be categorized as CWE-200, which deals with information exposure. The vulnerability occurs because the server's response to the REN command inadvertently reveals directory paths or other system information that should remain confidential. This type of information leakage can provide attackers with critical reconnaissance data needed for further exploitation attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the affected ALFTP server implementation. The disclosure of installation paths can enable attackers to understand the server's file structure and potentially identify other vulnerabilities or weak points in the system configuration. Attackers could leverage this information to plan more sophisticated attacks, such as directory traversal attempts or to target specific files and directories that might contain sensitive data. The fact that this vulnerability affects authenticated users means that an attacker would need valid credentials to exploit it, but this still represents a privilege escalation or information gathering opportunity that could be combined with other vulnerabilities.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering tactic, specifically targeting the T1083 - File and Directory Discovery technique. This vulnerability could be exploited as part of a reconnaissance phase where attackers gather information about the target system's configuration and file structure. The impact of such information disclosure can be substantial as it provides attackers with knowledge that could be used to bypass security controls or to craft more targeted attacks against the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of ALFTP server software where the vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated users who might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for unusual FTP activity or attempts to query file system information through the REN command can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in network services, particularly in how server responses are constructed to avoid revealing sensitive system information. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their FTP server implementations and review all server response messages for potential information leakage.