CVE-1999-0527

The permissions for system-critical data in an anonymous FTP account are inappropriate

published February 4, 2000

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
80.0
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A world-writable root directory in an anonymous FTP account is like a bakery with its doors wide open and no one checking who's walking in! Imagine a bakery that leaves its back door unlocked and permits anyone to come in and take whatever they like, including the recipes. This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access sensitive data, much like a rogue baker pilfering secret ingredients. If someone takes advantage of this vulnerability, they could potentially overwrite critical commands or even access sensitive files like password lists. The implications are significant, as it could lead to unauthorized control and manipulation of the server. That's a recipe for disaster!

Put simply

Imagine a bakery that leaves its back door unlocked and permits anyone to come in and take whatever they like, including the recipes. This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access sensitive data, much like a rogue baker pilfering secret ingredients. This vulnerability occurs because the permissions set for the anonymous FTP account allow any user to write to the root directory and access sensitive files, putting system integrity at risk.

What to do

If someone takes advantage of this vulnerability, they could potentially overwrite critical commands or even access sensitive files like password lists. The implications are significant, as it could lead to unauthorized control and manipulation of the server. That's a recipe for disaster! To remediate this, restrict permissions on the FTP server to ensure that only authorized users have write access. Review and update your FTP configuration, and consider disabling anonymous access if it's not required. Regular audits could save the day! You've got this! With a little tweaking, your server will be more secure than a locked bakery — no one gets in without permission! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01941 · 80.0th percentile
Published
2000-02-04T05:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 04 FEB 05:00Z
    The permissions for system-critical data in an anonymous FTP account are inappropriate
    cvelistv5