CVE-2024-53552: CrushFTP Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-53552 Overview

CVE-2024-53552 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting CrushFTP, a popular enterprise file transfer server. The vulnerability exists in the password reset functionality, where improper handling of password reset mechanisms allows unauthenticated attackers to take over user accounts. This flaw is classified under CWE-640 (Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password), indicating fundamental weaknesses in how the application processes password reset requests.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this password reset flaw to gain complete control over user accounts, potentially compromising sensitive file transfer operations and stored data.

Affected Products

• CrushFTP version 10 before 10.8.3
• CrushFTP version 11 before 11.2.3

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-53552 published to NVD
• 2025-06-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53552

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in CrushFTP's password reset mechanism, which fails to properly validate and secure the password recovery process. This authentication bypass vulnerability allows attackers to exploit weaknesses in how the application handles password reset tokens or verification steps, ultimately enabling unauthorized access to user accounts without knowing the original credentials.

CrushFTP is widely deployed in enterprise environments for secure file transfers, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive data. The network-accessible attack surface, combined with no required authentication or user interaction, makes this vulnerability highly exploitable by remote threat actors.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from CWE-640: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password. The password reset functionality does not implement sufficient validation controls, allowing attackers to manipulate the recovery process. This may include predictable reset tokens, insufficient verification of user identity, or improper session management during the reset workflow.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or privileges. An attacker can remotely target the password reset functionality without any user interaction. The exploitation path typically involves:

1. Identifying a target CrushFTP instance exposed to the network
2. Initiating the password reset process for a target account
3. Exploiting the weakness in the reset mechanism to bypass verification
4. Gaining full control of the targeted user account

The vulnerability mechanism involves improper handling of the password reset workflow in CrushFTP's authentication subsystem. Attackers can leverage flaws in token generation, validation, or the overall reset process flow to circumvent intended security controls. For detailed technical information, refer to the CrushFTP Update Documentation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53552

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual password reset requests for multiple accounts or high-value targets
• Successful account logins following password reset requests from unfamiliar IP addresses
• Unexpected changes to user account credentials or permissions
• Anomalous access patterns to sensitive files following password resets

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for password reset events followed by immediate successful logins
• Implement alerting on password reset requests originating from suspicious IP ranges or geographic locations
• Track failed and successful authentication attempts to identify account takeover patterns
• Review access logs for unusual file transfer activity after password reset events

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all authentication and password reset events in CrushFTP
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate password reset requests with subsequent account activity
• Implement rate limiting and alerting on password reset endpoint abuse
• Monitor network traffic for indicators of automated exploitation attempts targeting CrushFTP

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53552

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade CrushFTP 10.x installations to version 10.8.3 or later immediately
• Upgrade CrushFTP 11.x installations to version 11.2.3 or later immediately
• Review recent authentication logs for signs of compromise or account takeover
• Consider temporarily disabling password reset functionality until patches are applied
• Implement network-level access controls to restrict access to CrushFTP management interfaces

Patch Information

CrushFTP has released patched versions addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should update to CrushFTP 10.8.3 (for version 10.x) or 11.2.3 (for version 11.x) or later. Detailed update instructions are available in the CrushFTP Update Documentation.

Workarounds

• Disable the password reset functionality until the patch can be applied
• Implement additional network segmentation to limit exposure of CrushFTP instances
• Enforce multi-factor authentication where supported to add an additional verification layer
• Restrict access to the password reset endpoint using firewall rules or reverse proxy configurations

# Example: Restrict access to CrushFTP admin interface via firewall
# Allow only trusted IP ranges to access CrushFTP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP