CVE-2007-4555 in WS_FTP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Ipswitch WS_FTP allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via arguments to a valid command, which is not properly handled when it is displayed by the view log option in the administration interface. NOTE: this can be leveraged to create a new admin account.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4555 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Ipswitch WS_FTP software that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts through carefully crafted command arguments. This vulnerability exists in the administration interface where user-supplied input is inadequately sanitized before being rendered in the view log functionality, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions. The flaw specifically manifests when valid commands containing malicious payloads are processed and subsequently displayed in the administrative logging interface, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML content that executes in the context of authenticated administrator sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be leveraged to create new administrator accounts, effectively granting attackers full control over the WS_FTP server configuration and potentially compromising the entire file transfer infrastructure. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms a simple XSS flaw into a full system compromise capability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the WS_FTP administration interface. When legitimate commands containing malicious script payloads are executed and logged, the system fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before displaying it in the web-based interface. This violates fundamental secure coding principles and aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient output escaping. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of reflected XSS where attacker-controlled data flows from command arguments through the application logic to the user interface without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal privileges to execute, as the malicious input is processed through normal command execution pathways rather than requiring direct web interface manipulation. The system's failure to implement proper input validation mechanisms means that any command argument containing script tags or malicious code can be persisted in the log files and subsequently executed when administrators view these logs.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4555 extends far beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected WS_FTP server. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability to create a new admin account, they gain unrestricted access to all file transfer operations, can modify server configurations, access sensitive files, and potentially use the compromised server as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WS_FTP servers often serve as critical file transfer points and may contain sensitive corporate data or serve as gateways to internal systems. The persistence of the XSS attack means that even after the initial exploitation, the malicious scripts continue to execute whenever administrators view the affected log files, ensuring ongoing access and control. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper security testing and input validation in web-based administrative interfaces, as the flaw exists in a component that should be highly secure due to its administrative nature.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4555 must address both the immediate security risk and prevent further exploitation of the vulnerability. Organizations should immediately implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the WS_FTP administration interface to prevent malicious payloads from being stored and executed in log files. This includes implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied input, particularly command arguments, before they are processed or stored in log files. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the WS_FTP administration interface to only trusted administrative users and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual administrative account creation. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability represents a known flaw that has been addressed in subsequent versions of the software. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the file transfer infrastructure.