CVE-2000-0573

The lreply function in wu-ftpd 2.6.0 and earlier does not properly cleanse an untrusted format string, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…

published May 7, 2001

Patch now

High probability of exploitation

NVD has not assigned a CVSS score to this record. It sits in the 99.9th percentile for exploit probability.

CVSS
—
EPSS
96%
Percentile
99.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A poorly cleaned format string in wu-ftpd can let attackers run arbitrary commands! Think of it like a restaurant where the chef blindly follows any order without checking for allergens — one wrong request could lead to a complete disaster. In this case, the SITE EXEC command is that unchecked order, allowing attackers to execute harmful instructions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute any command on the server, essentially taking over the system. Imagine your server being run amok as it obediently follows malicious commands without any checks! This could lead to data compromise or service disruptions.

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where the chef blindly follows any order without checking for allergens — one wrong request could lead to a complete disaster. In this case, the SITE EXEC command is that unchecked order, allowing attackers to execute harmful instructions. The lreply function in wu-ftpd 2.6.0 and earlier fails to properly sanitize format strings, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by leveraging the SITE EXEC command.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute any command on the server, essentially taking over the system. Imagine your server being run amok as it obediently follows malicious commands without any checks! This could lead to data compromise or service disruptions. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to upgrade to a later version of wu-ftpd where this issue is resolved. Additionally, audit your server configurations to ensure that the SITE EXEC command is not used unless absolutely necessary. You've got this! With these steps, you can secure your server and stay ahead of threats! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.96227 · 99.9th percentile
Published
2001-05-07T04:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 07 MAY 04:00Z
    The lreply function in wu-ftpd 2.6.0 and earlier does not properly cleanse an untrusted format string, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
    cvelistv5