CVE-2026-53994

What it is

ProFTPD mod_sftp contains a heap-based buffer overflow reachable by an authenticated SFTP user. The fxp_packet_read() function accepts the attacker-supplied 32-bit big-endian SFTP packet length without a minimum sanity check. A value of 0 causes an unsigned subtraction elsewhere in the read path to underflow to approximately 4 GB. That oversized request reaches the core memory allocator, where the rounded size is computed in size_t but passed to new_block() as a 32-bit int; the low 32 bits of 0x100000000 are 0, so new_block() returns a small (~512-byte) block while the caller is told it received ~4 GB. The subsequent fill loop then streams attacker-controlled bytes past the end of the 544-byte allocation, producing an attacker-controlled heap buffer overflow. An authenticated user can crash the per-connection ProFTPD session child on demand with a single malformed SFTP packet (packet_len=0 followed by a body greater than approximately 544 bytes), producing reliable authenticated remote denial of service. Depending on heap layout and adjacent allocations, heap metadata corruption and further consequences beyond denial of service may be possible, though only denial of service is demonstrated by the supplied proof of concept.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-07-18 20:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-05 19:56 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.7 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-07-18 20:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-05 19:56 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-122

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Proftpd < 1.3.9b

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 7.7

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-53994.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-53994. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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