Description
Buffer overflow in the SSL-ready version of linux-ftpd (linux-ftpd-ssl) 0.17 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by creating a long directory name, then executing the XPWD command.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 12 | linux-ftpd-ssl | 0.17.18+0.3-5 | — |
| Debian 3.1 | linux-ftpd-ssl | 0.17.18+0.3-3sarge1 | DSA-896-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- linux-ftpd-ssl 0.17 - 'MKD'/'CWD' Remote Code Execution EDB-1295 · remote · Nov 5, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-896-1 linux-ftpd-ssl - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- Linux-ftpd-ssl-vsprintf-bo(23016) vdb-entry
- 17529 third-party-advisory
- 20051105 linux-ftpd-ssl 0.17 warez mailing-list
- 20530 vdb-entry
- 17465 third-party-advisory
- 17586 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2005-2330 vdb-entry
- 15343 vdb-entry
- DSA-896 vendor-advisory