CVE-2020-27646 in Secure File Transfer
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2020
Biscom Secure File Transfer (SFT) before 5.1.1082 and 6.x before 6.0.1011 allows user credential theft.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2020
Biscom Secure File Transfer systems prior to versions 5.1.1082 and 6.0.1011 contain a critical vulnerability that enables unauthorized users to steal authentication credentials through improper session management and weak cryptographic practices. This vulnerability exists within the authentication mechanisms of the file transfer platform, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can intercept or manipulate user credentials during the authentication process.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient validation of authentication tokens and session identifiers, allowing attackers to potentially capture valid login information through man-in-the-middle attacks or by exploiting weaknesses in the credential handling system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of secure session management protocols, where session tokens are either predictable, insufficiently random, or not properly invalidated upon logout or timeout. This weakness aligns with CWE-305 authentication weakness categories and represents a significant deviation from established security standards for secure credential handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised credentials can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data repositories, potential lateral movement within network environments, and escalation of privileges to administrative functions within the Biscom SFT platform. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can establish persistent access to file transfer systems, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of all data processed through the affected platform. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that Biscom SFT is commonly deployed in enterprise environments where sensitive corporate data, regulatory compliance information, and proprietary intellectual property are routinely transferred.
Organizations utilizing affected Biscom SFT versions face substantial risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where secure file transfer is mandated by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and soc 2. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform credential stuffing attacks, where stolen credentials are used to gain access to multiple systems, and can facilitate advanced persistent threat campaigns that leverage the compromised authentication credentials for extended periods without detection.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to versions 5.1.1082 or 6.0.1011 respectively, which address the underlying session management and authentication token vulnerabilities. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and credential usage anomalies, while security teams should conduct comprehensive credential hygiene audits to identify and revoke compromised accounts. The implementation of multi-factor authentication and zero-trust network access principles can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and highlights the necessity of continuous vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate authentication-related weaknesses in enterprise file transfer infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and enhanced logging capabilities to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.