CVE-2008-6082 in Titan FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Titan FTP Server 6.26 build 630 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via the SITE WHO command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6082 affects Titan FTP Server version 6.26 build 630 and represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited through the SITE WHO command. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign administrative commands within FTP servers can be manipulated to consume excessive system resources, ultimately leading to service disruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's response handling mechanism when processing the SITE WHO command, which is typically used to retrieve information about connected users or system status.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the server's insufficient input validation and resource management when processing the SITE WHO command. Attackers can craft malicious requests that cause the server to enter an infinite loop or consume disproportionate CPU cycles during command processing. This occurs because the server fails to properly validate the parameters passed to the SITE WHO command, allowing malformed input to trigger resource-intensive operations. The flaw essentially creates a condition where legitimate system resources are consumed at an unsustainable rate, leading to complete service unavailability for authorized users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Titan FTP Server for file transfer operations. The denial of service attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as any attacker with network access can exploit the flaw. The CPU consumption pattern typically results in system performance degradation followed by complete service exhaustion, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing FTP services. This vulnerability can be especially problematic in environments where FTP services are critical for business operations, as it can lead to extended downtime and potential revenue loss.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and specifically relates to the improper handling of resource-intensive operations in server applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" and demonstrates how attackers can leverage application-level flaws to exhaust system resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the SITE WHO command, and deploying monitoring solutions to detect unusual CPU consumption patterns. Additionally, configuring firewall rules to restrict access to the FTP service and implementing rate limiting mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.