CVE-2008-2031 in VicFTPS
Summary
by MITRE
VicFTPS 5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted LIST command, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2031 affects VicFTPS 5.0, a file transfer protocol server implementation that exposes a critical flaw in its command handling mechanism. This vulnerability manifests when the server processes a specially crafted LIST command, leading to an unexpected system crash that results in complete denial of service for legitimate users attempting to access file system resources through the affected FTP service.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition within the LIST command processing code path. When the VicFTPS server receives a malformed or crafted LIST command, the application fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to access memory locations that have not been initialized or properly allocated. This fundamental programming error creates a scenario where the software attempts to execute operations on a null memory reference, causing the application to terminate abruptly and crash the entire FTP service instance. Such a flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation and memory management practices that are commonly categorized under CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it provides remote attackers with a straightforward method to compromise system availability. An attacker requiring only network access to the FTP service can exploit this weakness to repeatedly crash the server, creating persistent denial of service conditions that can severely impact business operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication or elevated privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote party capable of connecting to the affected FTP service. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through service availability attacks, and demonstrates how seemingly simple input handling flaws can create significant operational risks.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of robust input validation and defensive programming practices in network services. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate error handling and memory management can transform benign input processing into catastrophic system failures. Organizations running VicFTPS 5.0 should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available version, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the FTP service, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious LIST command patterns. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing redundant FTP services or alternative access methods to maintain operational continuity during potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even legacy FTP implementations can contain critical flaws that persist for years without proper security updates and maintenance protocols.