Security readout for executives and security teams
This flaw lets an unauthenticated remote attacker run commands on vulnerable Progress WS_FTP Server systems through the Ad Hoc Transfer module. Because CISA lists it in KEV, exploitation is confirmed. Internet-facing file transfer services should be treated as high-priority exposure. Organizations running Progress WS_FTP Server 8.7.x before 8.7.4 or 8.8.x before 8.8.2 are exposed, especially if Ad Hoc Transfer is enabled or reachable from the internet. Treat this as an immediate remediation item for any exposed WS_FTP Server. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable before authentication, rated CVSS 10.0, and listed by CISA as known exploited. Mitigation focus: Upgrade WS_FTP Server to Progress fixed versions 8.7.4, 8.8.2, or later.; Follow the Progress advisory for any product-specific hardening or interim guidance.; Restrict internet access to WS_FTP Server until patching is complete..
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-40044 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 10 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
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CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H3.96Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
10CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.progress.com/ws_ftpCVE reference · product
- https://community.progress.com/s/article/WS-FTP-Server-Critical-Vulnerability-September-2023CVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/02/ws_ftp_update/CVE reference
- https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2023/09/29/etr-critical-vulnerabilities-in-ws_ftp-server/CVE reference
- https://attackerkb.com/topics/bn32f9sNax/cve-2023-40044CVE reference
- https://censys.com/cve-2023-40044/CVE reference
- https://www.assetnote.io/resources/research/rce-in-progress-ws-ftp-ad-hoc-via-iis-http-modules-cve-2023-40044CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-40044CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
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Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Deserialization of Untrusted Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.