CVE-2009-4770 in httpdx
Summary
by MITRE
The FTP server component in httpdx 1.4, 1.4.5, 1.4.6, 1.4.6b, and 1.5 has a default password of pass123 for the moderator account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain privileged access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4770 affects the httpdx FTP server component version 1.4, 1.4.5, 1.4.6, 1.4.6b, and 1.5, presenting a critical security weakness through the use of a default password for administrative access. This flaw represents a fundamental misconfiguration that significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems. The moderator account within the httpdx FTP server is configured with the hardcoded password pass123, which is an extremely weak credential that provides attackers with immediate privileged access to the system. This default credential issue falls under the CWE-798 weakness category, specifically addressing the use of hardcoded credentials that should never be present in production systems. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue since it allows unauthorized remote access to administrative functions without proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal skill level from attackers, as it involves simply connecting to the FTP server using the known default credentials. The default password pass123 is easily discoverable through public repositories, security databases, and vulnerability scanners, making this attack vector highly accessible to both skilled and unskilled threat actors. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain full administrative control over the FTP server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.002 which covers valid accounts with default passwords, demonstrating how default credentials can be exploited as an initial access method. The vulnerability represents a critical configuration management failure where security hardening practices were not properly implemented during the deployment of the FTP server component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system modification, and persistent access establishment. Once compromised, the FTP server can be used as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network, particularly if the server hosts sensitive data or serves as a gateway to internal resources. The default password creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until manually changed, and the lack of account lockout mechanisms or multi-factor authentication compounds the risk. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant exposure to credential stuffing attacks, automated scanning tools, and opportunistic exploitation by threat actors who continuously scan for known default credentials. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as pci dss, which requires that default passwords be changed immediately upon system installation, and iso 27001, which mandates proper access control implementation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4770 require immediate action to address the hardcoded default password issue. The primary remediation involves changing the default moderator password to a strong, randomly generated credential that meets complexity requirements. Organizations should implement a comprehensive password policy that enforces regular credential rotation and prohibits the use of default or easily guessable passwords. System administrators must conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all instances of vulnerable httpdx versions and ensure proper patching or credential updates. Additional security measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to FTP servers, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts, and establishing automated scanning processes to detect default credentials. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary accounts and services, implementing proper logging and monitoring of FTP server activities, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar configuration weaknesses. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the httpdx software that address this vulnerability and implement robust access control mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future.