CVE-2009-3545 in Ftpxq Server
Summary
by MITRE
DataWizard Technologies FtpXQ FTP Server 3.0 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long ABOR command.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3545 affects the DataWizard Technologies FtpXQ FTP Server version 3.0, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute a denial of service attack. This vulnerability specifically exploits the server's handling of the ABOR command, which is a standard ftp command used to abort the current file transfer operation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and memory management within the ftp server implementation, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt service availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the server's insufficient validation of command parameters, particularly when processing the ABOR command with excessively long input strings. When an authenticated user submits an ABOR command containing an abnormally long argument, the server fails to properly handle the input, leading to a buffer overflow condition or memory corruption that ultimately results in the application crashing. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on buffer operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a lack of proper input length validation and inadequate error handling mechanisms within the ftp server's command processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a critical weakness in the ftp server's stability and reliability. Remote authenticated attackers can leverage this flaw to repeatedly crash the ftp server, potentially leading to extended periods of service unavailability that can affect legitimate users and business operations. The fact that authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability means that attackers must first gain valid credentials, but this does not mitigate the severity of the impact. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, as it specifically targets the availability of network services through application-level exploitation.
Organizations utilizing the DataWizard Technologies FtpXQ FTP Server version 3.0 should prioritize immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches or updates that address the input validation issues in the ABOR command handling. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual patterns of ABOR command usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include implementing access controls to limit ftp server access to trusted networks and establishing robust logging mechanisms to track authenticated sessions that interact with ftp commands. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and defensive programming practices in network service implementations, particularly for protocols that handle user-supplied data. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potentially malicious ftp command sequences that could lead to service disruption.