CVE-2007-1082 in FTP Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
FTP Explorer 1.0.1 Build 047, and other versions before 1.0.1.52, allows remote servers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a long response to a PWD command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1082 affects FTP Explorer version 1.0.1 Build 047 and earlier versions up to 1.0.1.51, representing a significant security weakness in file transfer client software. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that specifically targets the client's processing of server responses during the PWD (Print Working Directory) command execution. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign FTP server communications can be exploited to consume excessive CPU resources on the client system, ultimately leading to service disruption and system unresponsiveness.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the FTP Explorer client's inadequate handling of server responses to the PWD command. When a remote FTP server sends an unusually long response to this particular command, the client application fails to properly validate or limit the response length, causing it to enter an infinite loop or consume excessive computational resources. This behavior stems from insufficient input validation and buffer management within the client's FTP protocol implementation, creating a condition where the application becomes unresponsive to user commands while consuming 100% CPU cycles. The vulnerability specifically relates to the client's inability to gracefully handle malformed or excessively long responses, which is a common pattern in FTP protocol exploitation vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability of the entire system where FTP Explorer is running. When exploited, the denial of service condition can render the client application unusable, forcing users to terminate the process manually and potentially disrupting ongoing file transfer operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated FTP operations are common, as it could lead to cascading failures in batch processing workflows. The resource consumption pattern typically results in a complete system freeze or severe performance degradation, making it difficult for users to perform any meaningful work while the exploit is active, which aligns with the broader category of resource exhaustion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 1.0.1.52 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to properly handle long server responses. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit FTP server access to trusted sources, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual CPU consumption patterns can help identify exploitation attempts before they cause significant disruption. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper resource management in client applications, particularly those handling network protocols where malicious actors can influence response content. This issue aligns with CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how protocol implementation flaws can lead to denial of service conditions that compromise system availability and user productivity.