CVE-2022-29620 in FileZilla Client
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
** DISPUTED ** FileZilla v3.59.0 allows attackers to obtain cleartext passwords of connected SSH or FTP servers via a memory dump.- NOTE: the vendor does not consider this a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-29620 relates to FileZilla version 3.59.0 and involves a potential security risk where attackers could extract cleartext passwords from connected SSH or FTP servers through memory dump techniques. This issue arises from how FileZilla handles credential storage and memory management during network connections, creating an avenue for adversaries to potentially harvest sensitive authentication information. The vulnerability exists in the context of file transfer client software that must maintain authentication credentials to establish connections with remote servers, making it a critical concern for security-conscious users and organizations. The reported behavior suggests that when FileZilla maintains active connections to SSH or FTP servers, sensitive credential data remains accessible in memory in an unencrypted format, allowing potential attackers to extract this information through memory analysis techniques.
The technical flaw manifests in the memory handling practices of FileZilla's connection management system, where authentication credentials including usernames and passwords are stored in memory without adequate encryption or secure erasure mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and CWE-255, which deals with credentials management issues. The implementation likely fails to properly clear memory segments containing credential information after use, or does not adequately encrypt sensitive data in memory, creating persistent exposure windows. Attackers could potentially leverage various memory dumping tools or techniques to capture the process memory of the FileZilla application, thereby extracting cleartext authentication credentials that would otherwise be protected through proper encryption or secure memory handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a significant risk to organizations relying on FileZilla for secure file transfers. The exposure of cleartext passwords in memory could lead to unauthorized access to multiple systems if the same credentials are reused across different services, creating cascading security failures. Network administrators and security teams must consider the potential for privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration attacks that could result from compromised credentials obtained through memory dump techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where FileZilla is used for frequent connections to sensitive systems, as each connection creates a potential window for credential exposure. The risk is amplified in scenarios where FileZilla runs with elevated privileges or where multiple concurrent connections are maintained, increasing the surface area for memory-based attacks.
While the vendor has disputed this classification as a vulnerability, security professionals should consider the potential impact of such memory exposure in threat modeling exercises. The recommended mitigations include implementing memory protection mechanisms, using encrypted credential storage, and employing secure coding practices that prevent sensitive data from remaining in accessible memory states. Organizations should consider alternative file transfer solutions with more robust credential management, implement network monitoring to detect unusual memory access patterns, and ensure regular updates to security tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1003.001, which covers credential dumping techniques, and T1552.001, which addresses the theft of credentials from memory. Additionally, implementing proper process isolation, memory encryption, and regular security assessments can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of credential handling practices in their security posture, particularly when dealing with applications that manage sensitive authentication information.