CVE-2024-0737 in Xlight FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2024
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Xlightftpd Xlight FTP Server 1.1. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Login. The manipulation of the argument user leads to denial of service. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-251560.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0737 represents a denial of service weakness within the Xlight FTP Server version 1.1, specifically impacting the login component functionality. This issue manifests when an attacker manipulates the user argument during the authentication process, potentially causing the FTP server to become unresponsive or crash entirely. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates a significant security risk that could disrupt legitimate service availability for users relying on the FTP server infrastructure.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient input validation mechanisms within the login module of the Xlight FTP Server software. When the system processes user credentials, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the user argument parameter, creating an avenue for malformed input to trigger unexpected behavior in the server's authentication routine. This weakness allows an attacker to craft specific inputs that cause the server to enter a denial of service state rather than properly rejecting invalid credentials or proceeding with legitimate authentication attempts. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the server's handling of user authentication requests.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations utilizing Xlight FTP Server 1.1 in their network infrastructure. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can initiate the denial of service attack from external networks without requiring local access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible FTP servers. The public disclosure of this exploit increases the likelihood of real-world attacks, potentially causing service disruption for legitimate users and affecting business continuity. Organizations may experience unauthorized service interruptions that could impact data accessibility and operational workflows.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design. The attack pattern follows common denial of service vectors documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying available patches from the vendor, implementing network-level access controls to restrict FTP server access, and monitoring for suspicious login attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit exposure of the FTP server to only necessary network segments and authorized users.
Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous login patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing proper input sanitization and robust error handling within the authentication module would effectively prevent exploitation. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that can quickly address denial of service events and restore service availability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network services and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.