CVE-2010-20103

9.3 CRITICAL 14% exploit odds No fix listed Code execution Server

What it is

A malicious backdoor was embedded in the official ProFTPD 1.3.3c source tarball distributed between November 28 and December 2, 2010. The backdoor implements a hidden FTP command trigger that, when invoked, causes the server to execute arbitrary shell commands with root privileges. This allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to run any OS command on the FTP server host.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 13.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.
Fix: No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

2025-08-20 16:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-07-15 02:16 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published: 2025-08-20 16:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-07-15 02:16 UTC
Exploit probability: 13.8% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-912
Record status: Analyzed

Affected

Proftpd 1.3.3

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 9.3

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Attack requirements: None
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

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References

NVD record · CVE.org record