CVE-2015-3306: ProFTPD mod_copy unauthenticated SITE CPFR/CPTO file copy

Exploited in the wild Critical 10.0 EPSS 99.5%

ProFTPD's mod_copy module in 1.3.5 lets unauthenticated clients use the SITE CPFR and SITE CPTO commands to copy arbitrary files on the server, which public exploits (including a Metasploit module) turn into remote code execution by copying content into a web-served directory. It was fixed in ProFTPD 1.3.5a and 1.3.6rc1 in 2015; CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-10-08.

What do these terms mean? CVE · CVSS score · exploited (KEV) · EPSS · backported fix · all terms

What to do now

  1. Check whether you run the affected software and which version (commands below).
  2. Install the fixed version for your system: see “Patch it” below.
  3. Restart the proftpd service after upgrading.
  4. Because this flaw is being exploited, also check the server for signs of compromise.

Affected and fixed versions

Affected:

Fixed in:

Am I affected?

proftpd -v
proftpd -l | grep mod_copy
dpkg -l 'proftpd*' | grep ^ii

Patch it

Use the commands for your system. Distribution packages often keep an older version number with the fix backported, so compare with the fixed package versions in the table below, not only with the upstream version.

Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade proftpd-basic
sudo systemctl restart proftpd
Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade proftpd-basic
sudo systemctl restart proftpd
Built from source
# build ProFTPD 1.3.5a or any later release (current 1.3.8/1.3.9 series) from http://www.proftpd.org/

General update steps for every system are on the Linux and Unix & BSD pages; after updating, see which services to restart.

Fix status in Linux distributions

ReleasePackageStatusFixed version / advisory
Debian 12proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.5-2
Debian 13proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.5-2
Debian testingproftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.5-2
Debian 8 (jessie)proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.5-1.1+deb8u1 (DSA-3263-1)
Debian 7 (wheezy)proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.4a-5+deb7u3 (DSA-3263-1)
Debian 12 / 13proftpd-dfsgfixednot affected (1.3.8 packages)
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (trusty)proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.5~rc3-2.1ubuntu2.1
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (precise)proftpd-dfsgfixed1.3.4a-1ubuntu0.1
Ubuntu 16.04 and laterproftpd-dfsgfixednot affected

From the Debian security tracker, Ubuntu CVE tracker and Red Hat Security Data API, refreshed every few hours.

Look for signs of exploitation

CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

This vulnerability could affect an open-source component, third-party library, protocol, or proprietary implementation that could be used by different products. For more information, please see: http://www.proftpd.org/ ; https://lists.debian.org/debian-security-announce/2015/msg00154.html ; https://lists.opensuse.org/archives/list/updates@lists.opensuse.org/message/WE6YZRG5UVXMGQ7IVDRYBPIWV4M6UUGM/ ; BOD 26-04: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk ; Forensics Triage Requirements: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-imp

Sources

Page generated automatically from official sources on 2026-11-03 18:05 UTC and reviewed by an editor. Always confirm with your vendor's advisory.