CVE-2019-19782 in AceaXe Plus
Summary
by MITRE
The FTP client in AceaXe Plus 1.0 allows a buffer overflow via a long EHLO response from an FTP server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19782 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the FTP client component of AceaXe Plus version 1.0. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the application's handling of Extended HELLO (EHLO) responses from FTP servers. The vulnerability manifests when the FTP client receives an overly long EHLO response that exceeds the allocated buffer size, creating a condition where arbitrary data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous as they can lead to arbitrary code execution, system compromise, or denial of service scenarios. The flaw resides in the client-side implementation that fails to properly validate the length of server responses before attempting to store them in fixed-size memory buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through malicious server responses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risk as it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be triggered through normal FTP communication patterns. Attackers can craft malicious FTP servers that respond with excessively long EHLO messages, causing the vulnerable client application to crash or potentially execute malicious code. The impact extends beyond simple application instability, as successful exploitation could allow remote code execution on the affected system, providing attackers with complete control over the machine running AceaXe Plus. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard network protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently connect to external FTP servers.
The operational implications of CVE-2019-19782 are severe for organizations relying on AceaXe Plus for file transfer operations. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across various network environments, including corporate networks, public FTP servers, and cloud-based storage systems. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to command and control communications and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations utilizing this software must implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest version of AceaXe Plus, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted FTP servers, and deploying network monitoring to detect suspicious FTP traffic patterns. Additionally, security teams should consider disabling unnecessary FTP client functionality and implementing strict input validation policies for all network communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19782 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the software vendor, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network-based controls including firewalls that restrict FTP traffic to trusted servers only, and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed EHLO responses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, reinforcing principles from the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines. Security monitoring should include specific detection rules for oversized FTP responses and abnormal client behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of networked applications should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other software components. The incident underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls around file transfer protocols, particularly in environments where users connect to external servers. Organizations should also consider implementing alternative secure file transfer methods such as SFTP or FTPS to reduce exposure to vulnerable FTP implementations.