CVE-2007-1014 in VicFTPS
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in VicFTPS before 5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long CWD command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1014 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in VicFTPS versions prior to 5.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the File Transfer Protocol server implementation and demonstrates a classic software security weakness where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. The flaw manifests when the server processes a specially crafted CWD command, which stands for "Change Working Directory" and is a standard ftp command used by clients to navigate server directories. The vulnerability operates through a stack buffer overflow condition where user-supplied input exceeds the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data structures.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to send a maliciously crafted CWD command containing an excessive number of characters to the vulnerable VicFTPS server. When the server processes this command without proper bounds checking, the excessive input overflows the stack buffer allocated for storing the directory path, leading to unpredictable memory corruption. The overflow can cause the application to crash immediately due to memory access violations or potentially allow an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code if proper exploit mitigation techniques are not in place. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in server environments where persistent access and control are desired by attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe security concern for any organization relying on vulnerable ftp server implementations. The vulnerability affects systems running VicFTPS versions before 5.0, which were widely deployed in enterprise and organizational environments during the early 2000s. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent access points. The remote nature of the attack means that no local access or authentication is required, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit vulnerable systems at scale. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how attackers target vulnerabilities in externally accessible services to gain initial access to target networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1014 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to VicFTPS version 5.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer management mechanisms to prevent the overflow condition. Additionally, network-level defenses such as firewall rules and access control lists can be implemented to restrict access to ftp services and limit the attack surface. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level bounds checking, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems monitoring for suspicious ftp command patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software security practices including code reviews, static and dynamic analysis, and adherence to secure coding guidelines to prevent similar issues in future implementations. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their network infrastructure and applications.