CVE-2024-0889 in Golden FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2024
A vulnerability was found in Kmint21 Golden FTP Server 2.02b and classified as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component PASV 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 identifier VDB-252041 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0889 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the Kmint21 Golden FTP Server version 2.02b, specifically within its PASV Command Handler component. This flaw exposes the server to remote exploitation, allowing attackers to disrupt service availability without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant risk potential, particularly given the public disclosure of exploit details and the assigned VDB-252041 identifier which suggests active awareness within security communities. The PASV command in FTP protocol is designed to establish data connections for file transfers, making this particular handler a critical component in the server's operational flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the PASV command processing within the Golden FTP Server implementation. When an attacker sends a malformed or specially crafted PASV command to the server, the system fails to properly validate or process the input, leading to a state where the server becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely. This processing failure typically occurs during the command parsing phase where the server's internal state management becomes corrupted or enters an undefined state. The vulnerability likely involves buffer overflow conditions, improper input validation, or memory management errors that occur specifically when handling the passive mode connection establishment process. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would fall under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows, depending on the specific implementation flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0889 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire FTP infrastructure. Organizations relying on this server version face significant risk of unauthorized service interruption, which can result in data accessibility issues, business continuity disruptions, and potential financial losses. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where FTP services are critical to business operations, including web hosting providers, file transfer operations, and enterprise data management systems. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and potentially T1566.001 for initial access through network services. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to cascading effects where dependent services also become unavailable, creating broader system impact beyond the immediate FTP server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate protection and long-term remediation measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor's official patch or upgrade to version 2.03 or later, which should contain the necessary code fixes for the PASV command handler. Organizations should implement network-level controls including firewall rules that restrict FTP service access to trusted networks only, and consider disabling the PASV command entirely if it's not required for operations. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious FTP command patterns can help identify exploitation attempts. The security community should also consider deploying application-level firewalls or web application firewalls that can filter malicious PASV command inputs before they reach the vulnerable server component. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure no other related vulnerabilities exist within the FTP server implementation, as this particular flaw may indicate broader code quality issues that could manifest in other components. Network segmentation and monitoring of FTP traffic can provide early detection capabilities, while maintaining detailed logs of FTP command processing helps in forensic analysis if exploitation occurs.