CVE-2010-3104 in Auto Ftp Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in DeskShare AutoFTP Manager 4.31, and probably earlier versions, allows remote FTP servers to write arbitrary files via a "..\" (dot dot backslash) in a filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3104 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within DeskShare AutoFTP Manager version 4.31 and potentially older iterations. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize filename parameters received from remote FTP servers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes filenames containing "..\" sequences, which are commonly used in directory traversal attacks to navigate outside of intended directories. Such improper handling creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate file paths to write arbitrary files to locations outside the intended target directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. When the AutoFTP Manager processes filenames containing the "..\" sequence, it fails to normalize or validate the path components, allowing the application to interpret these sequences as legitimate navigation commands rather than malicious input. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially overwrite critical system files, create backdoor access points, or inject malicious code into the target environment. The vulnerability exists at the application level where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using DeskShare AutoFTP Manager for automated file transfer operations. Attackers exploiting this flaw can potentially compromise the integrity of the entire file system by writing files to arbitrary locations, including system directories that may contain sensitive configuration files, executables, or other critical resources. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for environments where FTP servers are exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks if the application runs with elevated permissions, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3104 should focus on immediate patching of the affected AutoFTP Manager versions, as this represents a known vulnerability with established exploitation methods. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls that normalize all filename parameters, rejecting any sequences containing "..\" or similar path traversal indicators. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit direct access to FTP services from untrusted networks, while implementing additional monitoring for unusual file system activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as exploitation typically involves leveraging legitimate file system access mechanisms to achieve unauthorized file operations. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those handling user-supplied file names or path parameters. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications that may result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.