CVE-2011-5012 in Reflection
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Reflection FTP Client (rftpcom.dll 7.2.0.106 and possibly other versions), as used in Attachmate Reflection 2008, Reflection 2011 R1 before 15.3.2.569 and R1 SP1 before, Reflection 2011 R2 before 15.4.1.327, Reflection Windows Client 7.2 SP1 before hotfix 7.2.1186, and Reflection 14.1 SP1 before 14.1.1.206, allows remote FTP servers to execute arbitrary code via a long directory name in a response to a LIST command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5012 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Reflection FTP Client component known as rftpcom.dll version 7.2.0.106 and related versions. This flaw exists within Attachmate Reflection products including Reflection 2008, Reflection 2011 R1, Reflection 2011 R2, Reflection Windows Client 7.2, and Reflection 14.1, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these legacy terminal emulation solutions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the client processes directory listings from FTP servers, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may connect to untrusted or compromised FTP servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of directory names in FTP LIST command responses. When a remote FTP server sends a directory listing containing an excessively long directory name, the Reflection FTP client fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The attack vector requires a remote FTP server to be compromised or trusted by the victim, making it particularly insidious in environments where users frequently connect to external FTP services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable Reflection clients, potentially escalating privileges and establishing persistent backdoors. The nature of the vulnerability means that any user interacting with a compromised FTP server could be affected, making it particularly dangerous in shared or public network environments. Organizations using these legacy terminal emulation products face significant risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services, and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, representing multiple attack paths for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5012 should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, with vendors releasing updates for Reflection 2011 R1 SP1, R2, Windows Client 7.2 SP1, and Reflection 14.1 SP1. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to FTP services and consider disabling FTP client functionality in environments where it is not essential. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual FTP traffic patterns and directory listings that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of connecting to untrusted FTP servers and organizations should consider migrating to more modern terminal emulation solutions that have better security practices and active support. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with legacy software that may no longer receive security updates from vendors.