CVE-2022-41985 in uC-FTPs
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in the Authentication functionality of Weston Embedded uC-FTPs v 1.98.00. A specially crafted set of network packets can lead to authentication bypass and denial of service. An attacker can send a sequence of unauthenticated packets to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41985 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Weston Embedded uC-FTPs version 1.98.00 implementation. This embedded ftps solution operates within industrial and embedded systems environments where secure authentication mechanisms are paramount for protecting networked devices and data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of authentication states during the protocol handshake process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the authentication flow through crafted network traffic sequences. The affected system demonstrates a fundamental weakness in its session management and credential verification processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to protected resources. This authentication bypass occurs at the protocol level where the system fails to properly validate the sequence of authentication messages, enabling attackers to proceed without proper credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending a specific sequence of unauthenticated packets that manipulate the state machine governing the authentication process. The flaw manifests when the system does not adequately verify the integrity of authentication requests or maintain proper session state tracking. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting packets that appear to follow the legitimate authentication sequence but contain manipulated parameters or timing elements that cause the system to accept invalid credentials or bypass authentication entirely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, making it difficult to detect through traditional application-level security controls and potentially allowing for stealthy exploitation within industrial control systems. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper handling of authentication factors, specifically focusing on authentication bypass through manipulation of authentication state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt industrial operations. When an attacker successfully bypasses authentication, they gain access to sensitive system resources including configuration data, file systems, and potentially control functions within the embedded environment. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can occur when the crafted packets cause the system to enter an inconsistent state or consume excessive resources while processing the malformed authentication requests. Industrial environments relying on uC-FTPs for secure file transfer operations face significant risk of operational disruption, data compromise, and potential safety hazards if control systems are compromised through this vulnerability. The embedded nature of the software means that traditional security solutions may not be available or effective, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where system availability and integrity are critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41985 require immediate attention through firmware updates provided by Weston Embedded, as the vulnerability exists within the core protocol implementation. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or connection attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of additional authentication layers such as certificate-based authentication or two-factor authentication can provide defense-in-depth measures against this specific vulnerability. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for the packet patterns associated with this vulnerability, as the crafted sequences are detectable through network traffic analysis. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1190 which addresses exploit public-facing application, this vulnerability represents a critical entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to industrial environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all embedded systems using uC-FTPs and implement network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous authentication behaviors, ensuring that any exploitation attempts are quickly identified and contained through proper incident response procedures.