CVE-2023-33263 in WFTPD
Summary
by MITRE • 05/25/2023
In WFTPD 3.25, usernames and password hashes are stored in an openly viewable wftpd.ini configuration file within the WFTPD directory. NOTE: this is a product from 2006.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33263 represents a critical security flaw in WFTPD version 3.25, an outdated file transfer protocol server software dating back to 2006. This issue stems from poor configuration management practices where sensitive authentication credentials are stored in plain text within a configuration file that lacks proper access controls. The wftpd ini file serves as the primary storage mechanism for user account information including both usernames and password hashes, making it a prime target for unauthorized access and credential harvesting.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the absence of proper file permissions and encryption mechanisms within the software's design. The configuration file wftpd ini exists in the same directory as the main application files, making it easily discoverable and accessible to any user with read permissions to that directory. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and CWE-259, which covers the storage of passwords in a recoverable format. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of security by design principles where authentication data is stored in an unencrypted format without proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with complete access to all user accounts within the WFTPD server environment. Once an attacker gains access to the wftpd ini file, they can immediately extract all stored credentials and use them to authenticate to the FTP server, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying system files, or establishing persistent access through legitimate user accounts. This vulnerability represents a classic privilege escalation vector that can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other reconnaissance activities. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the software's age and the fact that such legacy systems often lack modern security features like account lockout mechanisms or secure password storage.
Organizations utilizing this outdated FTP server software face substantial risk of credential theft and unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects systems that may be running in production environments without proper security monitoring or access controls. The recommended mitigations include immediate removal of the vulnerable software, implementation of proper file permissions to restrict access to the configuration file, and deployment of modern authentication mechanisms. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. This case highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the dangers of operating outdated software in production environments, as the attack patterns and threat landscape have evolved significantly since 2006. The vulnerability also demonstrates the need for proper security training to prevent developers from creating applications with hard-coded credentials or insecure configuration storage mechanisms.