CVE-2007-1079 in FTP Voyager
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Rhino Software, Inc. FTP Voyager 14.0.0.3 and earlier allows remote servers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long response to a CWD command, which triggers the overflow when the user aborts the command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1079 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Rhino Software, Inc. FTP Voyager version 14.0.0.3 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of FTP commands, specifically when processing responses to the CWD (Change Working Directory) command. The buffer overflow occurs in the context of remote server interactions where malicious FTP servers can craft specially formatted responses designed to exploit this vulnerability. The flaw demonstrates a classic stack corruption issue where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the FTP Voyager client's failure to properly validate the length of responses received from FTP servers during directory change operations. When a user initiates a CWD command and subsequently aborts the operation, the application's internal buffer handling mechanism becomes susceptible to overflow conditions. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway is particularly concerning as it requires minimal user interaction beyond initiating the FTP connection and command execution, making it suitable for automated attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, though that represents the immediate consequence. When triggered, the buffer overflow causes the FTP Voyager application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, effectively rendering the client unusable for the duration of the session. However, the potential for more severe consequences exists, as stack-based buffer overflows can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks or arbitrary code execution if attackers can control the overflow data to overwrite critical program execution pointers. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need only control an FTP server to deliver the malicious response, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently connect to untrusted FTP sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1079 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from Rhino Software, Inc. as the primary defense mechanism. System administrators should ensure that all instances of FTP Voyager are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions pose significant risks in production environments. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional protection by limiting access to potentially malicious FTP servers, though this approach does not address the core vulnerability. The implementation of input validation controls and stack protection mechanisms within the application code would provide more robust defense in depth. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual FTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to remote code execution and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive security measures. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector emphasizes the importance of maintaining current software patches and implementing proper network security controls to prevent unauthorized access to potentially vulnerable systems.