CVE-2024-0546 in EasyFTP
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in EasyFTP 1.7.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component LIST Command Handler. The manipulation leads to denial of service. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-250715.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0546 represents a critical denial of service flaw within EasyFTP version 1.7.0 that specifically targets the LIST command handler component. This vulnerability operates at the protocol level of the File Transfer Protocol implementation, where the LIST command is commonly used to retrieve directory listings from FTP servers. The flaw manifests during the processing of malformed or specially crafted LIST command inputs, which can cause the FTP server to become unresponsive or crash entirely. Security researchers have classified this issue as problematic due to its remote exploitability and the fact that public exploitation details have been disclosed, making it immediately actionable by threat actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the LIST command handler module of EasyFTP. When the server receives a LIST command with malformed parameters or unexpected data sequences, the processing logic fails to properly sanitize or handle these inputs, leading to a state where the application enters an infinite loop or experiences a segmentation fault. This behavior directly violates the principle of robust input validation that is fundamental to secure application design and is consistent with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper error handling and input sanitization that allows attackers to manipulate the application's normal execution flow through carefully crafted malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0546 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render FTP services unavailable to legitimate users and potentially provide attackers with a means to perform persistent denial of service attacks against critical infrastructure. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers can target vulnerable EasyFTP installations without requiring physical access or local privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where FTP services are exposed to the internet. The disclosure of exploit details in VDB-250715 increases the probability of widespread exploitation, as malicious actors can readily implement automated attack scripts that target this specific vulnerability. Organizations running EasyFTP 1.7.0 systems face significant risk of service interruption, potential data accessibility issues, and possible escalation to broader network compromise if the vulnerability is not addressed promptly.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of EasyFTP installations to version 1.7.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the LIST command handler. Network administrators should also implement defensive measures including firewall rules that limit FTP service access to trusted networks, monitoring for unusual LIST command patterns, and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption attacks through service availability, and represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation can lead to critical system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting for FTP commands and establishing automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and comprehensive input validation as outlined in industry standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project and the National Institute of Standards and Technology cybersecurity framework.