CVE-2018-7449 in embOS FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
SEGGER embOS/IP FTP Server 3.22 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via an invalid LIST, STOR, or RETR command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7449 affects SEGGER embOS/IP FTP Server version 3.22, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the server's handling of core File Transfer Protocol commands, specifically targeting the LIST, STOR, and RETR operations that form fundamental components of ftp communication protocols. The vulnerability exists within the embedded operating system's network stack implementation, which fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied parameters before processing them, creating an avenue for malicious actors to disrupt service availability.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker crafts specially malformed or invalid commands that exploit buffer handling inconsistencies within the ftp server daemon. When the embOS/IP FTP server receives these malformed LIST, STOR, or RETR commands, it processes them without proper bounds checking or parameter validation, leading to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions that ultimately result in the daemon crashing and ceasing operations. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, stack-based buffer overflow, as the server's command processing routines fail to implement proper input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, Network Denial of Service, where attackers leverage protocol implementation flaws to cause service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can affect embedded systems deployments where embOS/IP FTP server functionality is critical for device management, firmware updates, or data transfer operations. Organizations utilizing this software in industrial control systems, IoT devices, or embedded applications may experience significant operational disruptions when attackers exploit this weakness, potentially leading to extended downtime and service unavailability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where continuous operation is essential, as the daemon crash can result in complete loss of ftp access to the system, potentially preventing legitimate users from performing necessary maintenance or data operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform repeated denial of service attacks, causing persistent disruption to services and potentially masking more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7449 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by SEGGER, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the buffer handling vulnerabilities in the ftp server implementation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to ftp services, particularly in critical environments where this vulnerability could have severe operational consequences. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous ftp traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while access controls should be enforced to restrict ftp server functionality to trusted network segments only. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed ftp commands and automatically block suspicious traffic patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and robust error handling in embedded systems, particularly those implementing network protocols where unauthenticated remote access is possible, making it essential for organizations to maintain updated security practices and regularly review their embedded system configurations for similar weaknesses.