CVE-2009-4194 in Golden FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Golden FTP Server 4.30 Free and Professional, 4.50, and possibly other versions allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the DELE command. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4194 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Golden FTP Server versions 4.30 Free and Professional, as well as version 4.50 and potentially other iterations. This security weakness specifically affects the File Transfer Protocol implementation and enables authenticated remote attackers to execute unauthorized file deletion operations. The vulnerability manifests through the DELE command which is used to delete files on the FTP server, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the file system path through directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the improper validation of user-supplied input within the FTP server's command processing logic. When an authenticated user submits a DELE command containing .. (dot dot) sequences, the server fails to adequately sanitize or normalize the file path before executing the deletion operation. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and target files located in parent directories or even system-wide locations. The flaw essentially permits arbitrary file deletion by crafting specially formatted paths that bypass normal access controls and directory restrictions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Golden FTP Server for file management and data storage. Remote authenticated attackers who can establish FTP connections to the server can leverage this weakness to delete critical system files, configuration data, user documents, or application files without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple file loss as attackers could potentially delete essential system components, leading to service disruption, data corruption, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who can obtain legitimate FTP credentials can exploit this flaw.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope of the application. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers typically need to first obtain legitimate authentication credentials before exploiting this weakness. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4194 should include immediate patching of affected Golden FTP Server installations to the latest available versions that contain proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of FTP activities, particularly around file deletion operations. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their FTP server configurations and implement principle of least privilege access controls to limit the damage potential of authenticated users. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in network services and highlights the need for robust security testing of file system operations in server applications.