CVE-2014-1215 in Core FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Core FTP Server before 1.2 build 508 allow local users to gain privileges via vectors related to reading data from config.dat and Windows Registry.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1215 represents a critical security flaw in Core FTP Server versions prior to build 1.2.508, where multiple buffer overflow conditions exist that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate privileges. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the server's configuration handling mechanisms, specifically when processing data from the config.dat file and Windows Registry entries. The buffer overflows occur during the parsing and reading of configuration data, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code or data. These flaws are particularly dangerous because they operate at the local privilege level, meaning that an attacker who already has access to the system can leverage these vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges and potentially achieve full system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes classic buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, and may also relate to CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions in heap-based buffers. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Core FTP Server for file transfer operations, as local privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially allowing them to establish backdoors, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data stored within the server environment.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2014-1215 requires an attacker to have local access to the system running Core FTP Server, which reduces the attack surface compared to remote exploits but still poses a substantial threat in environments where local access might be obtained through social engineering, compromised accounts, or other initial compromise vectors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the configuration management subsystem, which often contains sensitive information and is frequently accessed by the service during operation. When the server reads configuration data from config.dat or the Windows Registry, improper bounds checking allows attackers to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' technique where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial of service conditions, data corruption, and system instability, as memory corruption can cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where Core FTP Server is deployed with elevated privileges or where local access controls may be weak.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1215 should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of the vendor-provided patch or update to Core FTP Server version 1.2.508 or later, which addresses the buffer overflow conditions in the configuration reading mechanisms. System administrators should also implement comprehensive access controls to limit local user access to the server environment, as this vulnerability requires local privileges to exploit effectively. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the application code, monitoring for unusual file access patterns in config.dat and registry entries, and conducting regular security assessments of file transfer server configurations. Network segmentation and privilege separation techniques can help reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation by limiting the scope of what an attacker can access even after achieving privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized modifications to the Core FTP Server installation, as well as regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other server applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper memory management and input validation in server applications, particularly those handling sensitive configuration data, and highlights the need for continuous security testing and vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components.