CVE-2020-9273Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Post-authentication code execution via destroyed memory pool reuse

Published Feb 20, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use-after-free in ProFTPD 1.3.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by interrupting an active FTP data transfer. During an intervening control command, the transfer path destroys a command pool before clearing response and session references, allowing alloc_pool in pool.c to reuse a freed block. A valid FTP account and concurrent control and data channels are required; demonstrated outcomes include a daemon crash, while heap corruption can lead to code execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability12.04%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in ProFTPD 1.3.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by interrupting an active FTP data transfer. During an intervening control command, the transfer path destroys a command pool before clearing response and session references, allowing alloc_pool in pool.c to reuse a freed block. A valid FTP account and concurrent control and data channels are required; demonstrated outcomes include a daemon crash, while heap corruption can lead to code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9273
Published
Feb 20, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-416, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 20, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.8Canonical UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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