Description
SQL injection vulnerability in ProFTPD Server 1.3.1 through 1.3.2rc2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a "%" (percent) character in the username, which introduces a "'" (single quote) character during variable substitution by mod_sql.
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 14 | proftpd-dfsg | 1.3.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | proftpd-dfsg | 1.3.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | proftpd-dfsg | 1.3.2-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | proftpd-dfsg | 1.3.1-17lenny1 | DSA-1730-1, DSA-1727-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | proftpd | 1.3.5b-2.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10048-1 |
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 2
- ProFTPd - 'mod_mysql' Authentication Bypass EDB-8037 · remote · Feb 10, 2009 · verified
- ProFTPd 1.3 - 'mod_sql' 'Username' SQL Injection EDB-32798 · remote · Feb 10, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- DSA-1730-1 proftpd-dfsg - SQL injection vulnerabilites Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1727-1 - SQL injection vulnerabilites Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10048-1 proftpd-1.3.5b-2.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- DSA-1730 vendor-advisory
- 20090210 Re: Another SQL injection in ProFTPd with mod_mysql (probably postgres as well) mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20090211 Re: CVE request for proftpd mailing-list
- http://bugs.proftpd.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3180
- [oss-security] 20090211 Re: CVE request for proftpd mailing-list
- 34268 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2009:061 vendor-advisory
- 20090211 Re: Re: Another SQL injection in ProFTPd with mod_mysql (probably postgres as well) mailing-list
- 20090210 ProFTPd with mod_mysql Authentication Bypass Exploit mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20090211 CVE request for proftpd mailing-list
- GLSA-200903-27 vendor-advisory
- 8037 exploit
- 20090210 Another SQL injection in ProFTPd with mod_mysql (probably postgres as well) mailing-list