FTPS Secure Authentication

FTPS Secure Authentication

Is Authentication Secure over FTPS connections?

Question

Is the Authentication process always secure (encrypted) when using FTPS connections? 

Answer

No. Explicit FTPS connection may expose the authentication process. 

With Explicit SSL the Client must send the AUTH command to the server to tell the server to drop into secure mode. If the Client sends the AUTH command before it sends the USER/PASS command, then yes, the authentication will be secured. However, if the Client sends the USER/PASS command before sending the AUTH command, then the authentication will not be secured.

However, Implicit FTPS connections always secure the authentication process. 

Steps

  1. If using FTPS connections, strongly consider using Implicit TLS.




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