CVE-2012-10028 in SurgeFTP
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2025
Netwin SurgeFTP version 23c8 and prior contains a vulnerability in its web-based administrative console that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands via crafted POST requests to `surgeftpmgr.cgi`. This can lead to full remote code execution on the underlying system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10028 affects Netwin SurgeFTP version 23c8 and earlier, representing a critical remote code execution flaw within the application's web-based administrative interface. This vulnerability resides in the surgeftpmgr.cgi component which handles administrative functions through HTTP POST requests, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and gain complete control over the underlying operating system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web management console, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to be interpreted and executed as system commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where user-supplied data from POST parameters is directly incorporated into system command execution without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When an authenticated user submits specially crafted POST requests to the surgeftpmgr.cgi endpoint, the application fails to properly validate or escape input values before using them in shell commands, creating an environment where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the privileges of an authenticated user to bypass normal access controls, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it enables full system compromise and persistent access to the affected server. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute any command available to the application's user context, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and the installation of backdoors or additional malware. The vulnerability affects the entire operating system hosting the SurgeFTP service, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent footholds within network environments. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only compromise a valid administrative account to gain full system control, which can occur through credential theft, social engineering, or other means.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of SurgeFTP. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual POST request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security controls should include implementing principle of least privilege for administrative accounts, regular credential rotation, and network-based intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious traffic patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories related to command injection and code injection flaws, and represents a technique commonly catalogued in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for executing malicious code. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1566 related to credential harvesting and T1078 for valid accounts usage, making it a comprehensive threat vector requiring multi-faceted defensive measures.