While FTP was revolutionary for its time in 1971, it was designed in an for a time when security wasn’t a primary concern. The protocol transmits all data, including usernames and passwords, in plain text without any encryption. This fundamental flaw makes FTP extremely vulnerable to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
FTP uses two separate channels for communication: a control channel (port 21) for commands and a data channel for actual file transfers. This dual-channel approach creates additional attack vectors, as both channels are unencrypted and can be intercepted by malicious actors monitoring network traffic.
Modern compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX have made unencrypted data transfer a significant liability for organizations. When sensitive data travels over FTP, it’s essentially broadcasting confidential information across the network in readable format.
The lack of integrity checking in FTP means there’s no way to verify that transferred files haven’t been tampered with during transit. Additionally, FTP’s authentication mechanism is weak, making it susceptible to brute force attacks and credential theft.
Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for students to appreciate why secure alternatives like FTPS and SFTP were developed and why modern organizations are moving away from plain FTP for sensitive data transfers.
