CVE-2017-16513 : Security Advisory and Response

Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional version earlier than 12.6.0.3 is vulnerable to buffer overflows in the local search and backup locations fields.

Understanding CVE-2017-16513

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional that can lead to buffer overflows.

What is CVE-2017-16513?

The version of Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional before 12.6.0.3 is susceptible to buffer overflows in specific fields, posing a security risk.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16513

The buffer overflows in the local search and backup locations fields can potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16513

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability, also known as WSCLT-1729, allows for buffer overflows in the local search field and backup locations field of Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 12.6.0.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input to trigger buffer overflows in the identified fields.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16513 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional to version 12.6.0.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the local search and backup locations fields.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional, is regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent vulnerabilities.