Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2003-0831?

Affected: Proftpd (Proftpd Project) versions 1.2.7, 1.2.7_rc1, 1.2.7_rc2, 1.2.7_rc3, 1.2.8, 1.2.8_rc1, 1.2.8_rc2, 1.2.9_rc1. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2003-0831 being exploited in the wild?

It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.

Is CVE-2003-0831 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2003-0831?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2003-0831?

No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

How urgently should CVE-2003-0831 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2003-0831

CriticalPublic exploit

ProFTPD 1.2.7 through 1.2.9rc2 does not properly translate newline characters when transferring files in ASCII mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow using certain files.

Published Nov 17, 2003 · Updated Apr 15, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2003-0831 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.0 v2) affecting Proftpd (Proftpd Project).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 58% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

CVSS v2

9.0

AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

58%

Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

No known

Not in a known-exploited catalog

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2003-0831 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

Affected Products

9 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
ProftpdProftpd Project	1.2.7, 1.2.7_rc1, 1.2.7_rc2, 1.2.7_rc3, 1.2.8, 1.2.8_rc1, 1.2.8_rc2, 1.2.9_rc1	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Nov 17, 2003
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026

Weakness Type

CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

References

exploitExploitDB-107
exploitExploitDB-110
exploitExploitDB-23170
other20031014 Another ProFTPd root EXPLOIT ?
other20030924 [slackware-security] ProFTPD Security Advisory (SSA:2003-259-02)

7 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

ProFTPD 1.2.7 through 1.2.9rc2 does not properly translate newline characters when transferring files in ASCII mode, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow using certain files.
Affected: Proftpd (Proftpd Project) versions 1.2.7, 1.2.7_rc1, 1.2.7_rc2, 1.2.7_rc3, 1.2.8, 1.2.8_rc1, 1.2.8_rc2, 1.2.9_rc1. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.

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