CVE-2013-7465 in Servers Ultimate
Summary
by MITRE
Ice Cold Apps Servers Ultimate 6.0.2(12) does not require authentication for TELNET, SSH, or FTP, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading PHP scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7465 affects Ice Cold Apps Servers Ultimate version 6.0.2 build 12, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that exposes core network services to unauthorized remote access. This weakness stems from the application server's failure to implement proper authentication mechanisms for essential remote access protocols including TELNET, SSH, and FTP services. The absence of authentication requirements creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can establish connections without proper credentials, fundamentally compromising the security posture of systems running this software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. When TELNET, SSH, and FTP services operate without authentication requirements, they create pathways for unauthorized code execution through simple file upload operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw by uploading PHP scripts to the server, effectively gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code remotely. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms a simple network service access into full system compromise. The vulnerability exists at the protocol level where authentication mechanisms are either completely absent or improperly configured, allowing any remote user to connect and potentially execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a complete system compromise scenario where attackers can establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within a network. The ability to upload PHP scripts provides attackers with a versatile execution environment, enabling them to perform reconnaissance, deploy additional malware, or manipulate server resources. This vulnerability particularly affects web hosting environments where such servers are commonly deployed, potentially leading to widespread compromise of multiple websites hosted on the same infrastructure. The low complexity of exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous as it requires minimal technical skill to leverage effectively.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate authentication implementation across all network services, including mandatory user authentication for TELNET, SSH, and FTP protocols. Organizations should implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of these services. The recommended approach includes disabling unnecessary services, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that authentication requirements are properly configured and that no services are running without proper credential validation. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, emphasizing the need for robust authentication controls and proper service configuration to prevent unauthorized access and code execution scenarios.