CVE-2006-5982 in SeleniumServer FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
SeleniumServer FTP Server 1.0, and possibly earlier, stores user passwords in plaintext in the Servers directory, which allows attackers to obtain passwords by reading the file. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; details are obtained from third party sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5982 represents a critical security flaw in the SeleniumServer FTP Server version 1.0 and potentially earlier versions. This issue stems from insecure credential storage practices that violate fundamental security principles. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's configuration handling mechanism where user authentication credentials are persisted in an unencrypted format within the Servers directory. This design flaw creates a persistent exposure that can be exploited by any attacker who gains access to the file system or can otherwise read the sensitive configuration files. The plaintext storage of passwords directly contravenes industry best practices for credential management and demonstrates a lack of proper security controls in the application's architecture. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of the FTP server, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to systems. The weakness lies in the server's failure to implement proper encryption or hashing mechanisms for password storage, which is a fundamental requirement for any security-conscious application. This issue is classified under CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that the password file is stored in a predictable location within the Servers directory, making it easily discoverable and accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential theft as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the FTP server and potentially use stolen credentials for lateral movement within network environments. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations using the affected SeleniumServer FTP Server as it essentially provides a backdoor for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as it only requires file system access to read the password file. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing for Information) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables attackers to obtain legitimate credentials through insecure storage practices. The lack of encryption or obfuscation in the password storage mechanism means that even if the server is properly configured otherwise, the presence of plaintext credentials renders all other security measures ineffective. Organizations that deploy this software without implementing additional file system protections or access controls are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate security design where the application fails to consider the security implications of how sensitive data is stored and managed. The impact is particularly severe given that FTP servers often contain credentials for accessing critical network resources, making the compromise of password files potentially devastating for system security. The issue also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure configuration management in preventing such vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple applications can contain critical security flaws when proper security controls are not implemented during the development lifecycle. The lack of proper credential protection mechanisms in the affected software demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of security principles among the developers, which creates a dangerous exposure for any organization using the vulnerable software. The vulnerability's persistence in the file system means that even if the server is restarted or reconfigured, the plaintext passwords remain accessible to unauthorized parties until the file is manually removed or secured. This creates a long-term security risk that can persist even after other system vulnerabilities have been addressed, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in the overall security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability also represents a failure in proper security testing and code review practices that should have identified and remediated the insecure credential storage before deployment. The absence of encryption or hashing mechanisms in the password storage process indicates a lack of awareness of standard security practices and proper implementation of cryptographic controls. Organizations should immediately assess their exposure to this vulnerability by scanning for affected systems and implementing appropriate mitigations such as restricting file system access to the Servers directory, manually encrypting password files, or migrating to more secure alternatives that properly implement credential protection mechanisms. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.