CVE-2010-20103

ProFTPD 1.3.3c Backdoor Command Execution

Published Aug 20, 2025 CVSS 4.0 · 9.3 Critical EPSS 15.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2010-5301 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.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:proftpd:proftpd:1.3.3c:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:proftpd:proftpd:1.3.3:c:*:*:*:*:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Proftpd
Proftpd proftpd
Proftpd Project
Proftpd Project proftpd
Vendors & Products Proftpd
Proftpd proftpd
Proftpd Project
Proftpd Project proftpd
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title ProFTPD 1.3.3c Backdoor Command Execution
Weaknesses CWE-912
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.3, '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'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Jul 15, 2026, 1:23 AM
Reserved
Aug 19, 2025, 4:00 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 20, 2025, 4:15 PM
Modified
Jul 15, 2026, 2:16 AM