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CRITICAL · CVSS 10 CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability

CVE-2023-40044

Progress WS_FTP Server Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability

Progress WS_FTP Server

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.

CVSS
10
CRITICAL
EPSS
90.4%
30-day exploitation
Ransomware groups
0
recorded exploiting
Published
27 Sep 2023
CWE-502

Exploitation status

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities

Listed by CISA on 5 October 2023. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 26 October 2023. CISA records this vulnerability as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.

EPSS — exploitation probability

FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 90.4%, which is higher than 99.8% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Frequently asked questions

Is CVE-2023-40044 being exploited by ransomware groups?

No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2023-40044.

What does CVE-2023-40044 affect?

CVE-2023-40044 affects Progress WS_FTP Server. 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.

How severe is CVE-2023-40044?

CVE-2023-40044 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 10. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 90.4%, higher than 99.8% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 26 October 2023.

How should organisations respond to CVE-2023-40044?

Apply the vendor patch for Progress WS_FTP Server as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.