CVE-2010-20103

Name: CVE-2010-20103
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2025-08-20T16:15:34.137+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.3/10EPSS 4.75%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2010-20103 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.3/10 on the CVSS scale. A malicious backdoor was embedded in the official ProFTPD 1.3.3c source tarball distributed between November 28 and December 2, 2010. The backdoor implements a hidden FTP command trigger that, when invoked, causes the server to execute arbitrary shell commands with root privileges. EPSS estimates a 4.75% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A malicious backdoor was embedded in the official ProFTPD 1.3.3c source tarball distributed between November 28 and December 2, 2010. The backdoor implements a hidden FTP command trigger that, when invoked, causes the server to execute arbitrary shell commands with root privileges. This allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to run any OS command on the FTP server host.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

CVSS 4.0

9.3/10

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

EPSS Probability

4.75%

90.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-912

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Proftpd	Proftpd	1.3.3	C

References

http://www.proftpd.org/Product
https://advisories.checkpoint.com/defense/advisories/public/2011/cpai-2010-151.html/Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/proftpd/proftpdProduct
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/unix/ftp/proftpd_133c_backdoor.rbExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://web.archive.org/web/20111107212129/http://rsync.proftpd.org/Release Notes
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15662Exploit, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16921Exploit, VDB Entry
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/proftpd-backdoor-command-executionThird Party Advisory
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/unix/ftp/proftpd_133c_backdoor.rbExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15662Exploit, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16921Exploit, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Aug 20, 2025
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2010-20103?

How severe is CVE-2010-20103?

CVE-2010-20103 has a CVSS score of 9.3/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.75% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2010-20103?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2010-20103?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST