CVE-2007-0330 in WS_FTP
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in wsbho2k0.dll, as used by wsftpurl.exe, in Ipswitch WS_FTP 2007 Professional allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long ftp:// URL in an HTML document, and possibly other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0330 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the wsbho2k0.dll dynamic link library component of Ipswitch WS_FTP 2007 Professional software. This specific implementation flaw manifests when the wsftpurl.exe application processes ftp:// URLs embedded within HTML documents, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that can result in system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of URL parameters and demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when input data exceeds the allocated buffer space.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability operates through the improper validation and handling of user-supplied input within the web browser integration component of the WS_FTP software suite. When a maliciously crafted HTML document containing an excessively long ftp:// URL is processed by wsftpurl.exe, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer within the wsbho2k0.dll library. This failure creates a condition where the overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the application's execution flow and leading to unpredictable behavior. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that directly enables both denial of service conditions and arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw to cause the WS_FTP application to crash, resulting in a denial of service that disrupts legitimate file transfer operations. However, the more concerning aspect involves the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could allow an attacker to gain control over the affected system. The vulnerability's reach is amplified by its vector through HTML documents, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might unknowingly encounter malicious content. This vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of web-based applications to execute malicious code through crafted input parameters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0330 should focus on immediate patch application from Ipswitch, as the vendor would have released a security update addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network-based restrictions to prevent access to potentially malicious web content, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted HTML documents. Input validation measures should be strengthened at all application interfaces, and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation would likely result in observable application instability and potential memory corruption artifacts that could be detected through proper system monitoring protocols.