CVE-2010-20034 in Gekko Manager FTP Client
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2025
Gekko Manager FTP Client <= 0.77 contains a stack-based buffer overflow in its FTP directory listing parser. When processing a server response to a LIST command, the client fails to properly validate the length of filenames. A crafted response containing an overly long filename can overwrite the Structured Exception Handler (SEH), potentially allowing remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-20034 affects Gekko Manager FTP Client version 0.77 and earlier, representing a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition within the application's FTP directory listing parser component. This flaw exists in the client's handling of server responses to LIST commands, where the software fails to properly validate the length of filenames contained in the directory listing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted FTP server responses to exploit memory corruption issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the FTP client processes directory listings from remote servers, specifically targeting the structured exception handler chain within the application's memory space. When a malicious FTP server responds to a LIST command with a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, including the structured exception handler frame. This memory corruption directly affects the SEH mechanism, which is responsible for managing exception handling within the Windows application environment. The exploitation of this condition can potentially allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious FTP servers to compromise user systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by setting up a malicious FTP server that responds to LIST commands with specially crafted filenames designed to overflow the buffer and overwrite the SEH chain. The successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or further network infiltration activities. This vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently connect to untrusted FTP servers or those who download files from potentially compromised sources.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions in programming environments. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that are commonly addressed through secure coding guidelines and defensive programming techniques. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution through software exploitation and command and control communications. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application updates to versions that address the buffer overflow condition, network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted FTP servers, and implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious FTP traffic patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of connecting to untrusted FTP servers and the importance of keeping software updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.