Deserialization in Progress Software Corporation Ws_ftp Server
CVE-2023-40044
In WS_FTP Server versions prior to 8.7.4 and 8.8.2, a pre-authenticated attacker could leverage a .NET deserialization vulnerability in the Ad Hoc Transfer module to execute remote commands on the underlying WS_FTP Server operating system.
Vulnerability class: Insecure Deserialization
EPSS: 0.944 (100.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 10.0 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Progress Software Corporation Ws_ftp Server — versions 8.8.0, 8.7.0
Weakness classification (CWE)
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
This CVE is on the CISA KEV catalog, added on . CISA KEV inclusion means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation; US federal agencies are required to remediate within a published due date.
BOD 22-01 due date: .
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Known ransomware campaign use: yes.
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- www.progress.com/ws_ftp (product)
- community.progress.com/s/article/WS-FTP-Server-Critical-Vulnerability-September… (vendor-advisory)
- www.theregister.com/2023/10/02/ws_ftp_update/
- www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2023/09/29/etr-critical-vulnerabilities-in-ws_ftp-serv…
- attackerkb.com/topics/bn32f9sNax/cve-2023-40044
- censys.com/cve-2023-40044/
- www.assetnote.io/resources/research/rce-in-progress-ws-ftp-ad-hoc-via-iis-http-…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/174917/Progress-Software-WS_FTP-Unauthenticated-R…
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-40044?
- CVE-2023-40044 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Progress Software Corporation Ws_ftp Server, classified under Deserialization of Untrusted Data. CVSS score: 10.0/10. Published 2023-09-27.
- How severe is CVE-2023-40044?
- Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 10.0 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2023-40044 known to be exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2023-40044 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2023-10-05), indicating it is being actively exploited. 14 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.