What are the security risks of FTP?

Security Risks of File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a widely used protocol for transferring files between a client and a server over a network. However, FTPs legacy design introduces inherent security vulnerabilities that make it a risky option for transmitting sensitive information.

Lack of Encryption:

One of the major security concerns with FTP is its lack of encryption. FTP transmits both credentials (username and password) and data in plain text. This means that any attacker with access to the network can easily intercept and read the information being transferred. This poses a significant risk to data confidentiality, as sensitive information such as financial records, personal data, and trade secrets could be exposed.

Eavesdropping Attacks:

Since FTP transmits data in plain text, attackers can use eavesdropping techniques to capture and analyze the traffic. This allows them to obtain sensitive information such as login credentials, file transfers, and any other data that is being exchanged. This information can then be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft, unauthorized access to systems, or data exfiltration.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks:

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are another security risk associated with FTP. In a MITM attack, an attacker intercepts the communication between the FTP client and server and poses as one of the parties. The attacker can then modify, manipulate, or intercept the data being transferred, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the information.

Credential Reuse:

FTP relies on basic authentication mechanisms, which means that the same credentials are used for both authentication and data transfer. If an attacker gains access to these credentials, they can use them to impersonate the legitimate user and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems.

Recommendation:

Due to its inherent security vulnerabilities, FTP is generally discouraged for transmitting sensitive information. More secure alternatives, such as SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or FTPS (FTP over SSL), provide encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect data in transit. It is important to implement these more secure protocols whenever possible.