ProFTPD up to 1.2.9 Rc2 ASCII Mode data_xfer memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in ProFTPD up to 1.2.9 Rc2. The affected element is the function data_xfer of the component ASCII Mode. Such manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2003-0831. Moreover, an exploit is present. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in ProFTPD up to 1.2.9 Rc2 (File Transfer Software). Affected by this issue is the function data_xfer of the component ASCII Mode. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

ProFTPD 1.2.7 through 1.2.9rc2 does not properly translate newline characters when transferring files in ASCII mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow using certain files.

The weakness was disclosed 09/23/2003 by ISS X-Force Research with ISS X-Force as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared for download at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2003-0831 since 09/24/2003. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. The successful exploitation requires a simple authentication. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known.

After 2 weeks, there has been an exploit disclosed. The exploit is available at phreedom.org. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 14077 (Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : proftpd (MDKSA-2003:095-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Mandriva Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 27208 (ProFTPD ASCII File Upload Buffer Overrun Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 4 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 2405.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (12200), Exploit-DB (107), Tenable (14077), SecurityFocus (BID 8679†) and OSVDB (10769†). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.9

VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 8.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 14077
Nessus Name: Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : proftpd (MDKSA-2003:095-1)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 52532
OpenVAS Name: FreeBSD Ports: proftpd
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/23/2003 🔍
09/23/2003 +0 days 🔍
09/23/2003 +0 days 🔍
09/24/2003 +1 days 🔍
09/24/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/01/2003 +7 days 🔍
10/07/2003 +6 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +41 days 🔍
12/31/2003 +44 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +99 days 🔍
07/31/2004 +113 days 🔍
08/15/2014 +3667 days 🔍
07/20/2025 +3992 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Researcher: ISS X-Force Research
Organization: ISS X-Force
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0831 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0831
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20972
CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 12200
SecurityFocus: 8679 - ProFTPD ASCII File Transfer Buffer Overrun Vulnerability
Secunia: 9829 - ProFTPD ASCII Mode File Transfer Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, Highly Critical
OSVDB: 10769 - ProFTPD File Transfer Newline Character Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 2227 - ProFTPD 1.2.7 - 1.2.9rc2 Allows Remote Code Execution, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2014 16:35
Updated: 07/20/2025 22:54
Changes: 08/15/2014 16:35 (90), 05/15/2019 14:33 (2), 10/08/2024 16:21 (16), 12/14/2024 22:18 (1), 07/20/2025 22:54 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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