CVE-2009-3023 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the FTP Service in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.0 through 6.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted NLST (NAME LIST) command that uses wildcards, leading to memory corruption, aka "IIS FTP Service RCE and DoS Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3023 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the FTP service component of Microsoft Internet Information Services versions 5.0 through 6.0. This flaw exists in the handling of NAME LIST commands specifically when wildcards are employed, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the NLST command processing logic, which fails to properly sanitize wildcard characters before processing them in memory operations. The vulnerability affects systems where IIS 5.0 through 6.0 are installed with FTP service enabled, making it particularly dangerous in environments where FTP services are actively used for file transfers and management. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the service attempts to process a crafted NLST command containing wildcards, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which classifies it as a stack-based buffer overflow, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, specifically targeting the IIS FTP service as a remote attack vector. The attack requires an authenticated user to establish a connection to the FTP service, which provides a significant operational advantage since the attacker must first gain valid credentials. However, once authenticated, the attacker can craft malicious NLST commands with wildcard characters that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The memory corruption resulting from this vulnerability can manifest in various ways including application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more critically, code execution that could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates the classic characteristics of a remote code execution flaw that leverages improper input handling within network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3023 extends beyond simple system compromise to include potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on affected servers. Organizations running IIS 5.0 through 6.0 with FTP services enabled face significant risk, particularly in environments where FTP is used for file transfers, web content management, or administrative access. The vulnerability's authentication requirement does not eliminate the threat, as attackers can potentially obtain valid credentials through social engineering, credential theft, or other attack vectors. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for denial of service attacks, potentially disrupting critical business operations and causing significant downtime for organizations relying on IIS FTP services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3023 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the appropriate Microsoft security updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed through official patches released by Microsoft. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to FTP services and restrict authentication access to trusted networks only. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious NLST command patterns and wildcard usage can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should disable FTP services when not required and consider migrating to more secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP or FTPS. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, regular credential rotation, and comprehensive security monitoring can reduce the attack surface and detection likelihood of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in network service implementations. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in their infrastructure and ensure that legacy IIS versions are properly maintained or upgraded to supported platforms.