CVE-2008-5124 in Secure FTP Applet
Summary
by MITRE
JSCAPE Secure FTP Applet 4.8.0 and earlier does not ask the user to verify a new or mismatched SSH host key, which makes it easier for remote attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5124 affects JSCAPE Secure FTP Applet version 4.8.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security weakness in the implementation of SSH host key verification mechanisms. This flaw fundamentally undermines the trust model that SSH protocols rely upon for secure communications. The vulnerability resides in the applet's failure to properly validate SSH host keys during the connection establishment process, creating an exploitable gap that allows malicious actors to intercept and manipulate secure file transfers without detection.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability represents a failure in the SSH host key validation process where the applet does not prompt users to verify new or mismatched SSH host keys before establishing connections. This behavior directly violates established security protocols and best practices for SSH implementations. The absence of host key verification creates a scenario where an attacker can position themselves between the client and server, presenting their own host key to the client while intercepting the legitimate connection. This man-in-the-middle attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without alerting users to the compromise, allowing attackers to capture credentials, data, or manipulate file transfers transparently to end users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of all file transfer operations conducted through the affected applet. Organizations relying on JSCAPE Secure FTP Applet for secure file transfers face significant risks including data breaches, credential theft, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability affects the core security promise of SSH protocols, which are designed to prevent exactly this type of attack through host key verification. This weakness particularly impacts environments where sensitive data is regularly transferred, such as financial services, healthcare organizations, and government agencies that depend on secure communication channels.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear violation of CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in host key verification processes, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and trust verification that should be fundamental to all secure communication implementations. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the applet, implementing additional network monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle activity, and establishing alternative secure file transfer protocols that properly enforce host key verification. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of cryptographic implementations, particularly in applications handling sensitive data transfers.