CVE-2012-10030 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2025
FreeFloat FTP Server contains multiple critical design flaws that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to upload arbitrary files to sensitive system directories. The server accepts empty credentials, defaults user access to the root of the C:\ drive, and imposes no restrictions on file type or destination path. These conditions enable attackers to upload executable payloads and .mof files to locations such as system32 and wbem\mof, where Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) automatically processes and executes them. This results in remote code execution with SYSTEM-level privileges, without requiring user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10030 resides within the FreeFloat FTP Server software, a widely deployed file transfer protocol implementation that has been found to contain critical design flaws enabling unauthenticated remote code execution. This vulnerability represents a fundamental architectural weakness in the server's authentication and authorization mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate user credentials and enforce access controls. The flaw manifests through multiple interconnected weaknesses that together create a complete attack vector for remote exploitation. The server's default configuration accepts empty or null credentials, which violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-53 controls. This design decision creates an implicit trust model that allows any remote attacker to establish a session with the server without proper authentication, fundamentally undermining the security foundation of the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly sanitize and validate file upload operations. When attackers establish a connection, they can leverage the default root directory access to the C:\ drive, which represents a dangerous default configuration that violates the principle of least privilege. The server imposes no restrictions on file type or destination path during upload operations, creating an unrestricted file placement mechanism that allows attackers to write files anywhere within the filesystem. This lack of path validation and file type filtering creates multiple attack surfaces that align with CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) weaknesses. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to upload files to system-critical directories such as system32 and wbem\mof, which are specifically designed to execute code automatically within the Windows operating system. This automatic execution capability is a direct result of WMI's built-in functionality, where .mof files are processed and executed without user interaction, creating a perfect storm for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-10030 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise with minimal effort. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution with SYSTEM-level privileges, meaning that attackers can gain complete control over the target system without requiring any user interaction or legitimate credentials. This level of access enables attackers to install backdoors, modify system files, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it suitable for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability directly maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as it allows attackers to establish persistent access and execute malicious code without relying on legitimate user accounts. The default nature of the vulnerability means that any system running the affected FreeFloat FTP Server software is immediately at risk, regardless of network segmentation or other security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-10030 must address both the immediate vulnerability and the underlying design flaws that enable exploitation. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the FreeFloat FTP Server software or migrating to a more secure alternative such as FileZilla Server or Microsoft FTP Service. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate FTP services from critical systems and apply restrictive firewall rules to limit access to the FTP service. Security configurations should enforce strong authentication requirements, disable anonymous access, and implement proper file upload restrictions. System administrators should monitor for unauthorized file uploads and implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect malicious changes to system directories. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting the FTP server's access to only necessary directories and ensuring that uploaded files cannot be automatically executed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar design flaws in other network services, as the root cause lies in the server's fundamental architecture rather than a single configuration issue. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious FTP activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.