CVE-2023-40044

WS_FTP Server Ad Hoc Transfer Module .NET Deserialization Vulnerability

10.0 CriticalIn KEVPublic exploit

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

90.4%Up 90.3 points since Sep 28, 2023

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 10.0

WS_FTP Server Ad Hoc Transfer Module .NET Deserialization Vulnerability

Record: CVE-2023-40044
CVSS 3.1: 10.0 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-502
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2023-44651 10.0

Record: EUVD-2023-44651
CVSS 3.1: 10.0 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-29vf-j74g-gmfc 10.0

In WS_FTP Server version 8.7.0 prior to 8.7.4 and version 8.8.0 prior to 8.8.2, a pre...

In WS_FTP Server version 8.7.0 prior to 8.7.4 and

version 8.8.0 prior to 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.

Record: GHSA-29vf-j74g-gmfc
CVSS 3.1: 10.0 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-502
Updated: 2026-11-02

CISA KEV No score

Progress WS_FTP Server Deserialization of Untrusted Data Vulnerability

Progress WS_FTP Server contains a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in the Ad Hoc Transfer module that allows an authenticated attacker to execute remote commands on the underlying operating system.

Record: CVE-2023-40044
Weakness: CWE-502
Updated: 2026-11-02

NVD 10.0

Record: CVE-2023-40044
CVSS 3.1: 10.0 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 3.1: 8.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-502
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
Source	Link	Date
Metasploit	Progress Software WS_FTP Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution	2023-09-27
PoC in GitHub	kenbuckler/WS_FTP-CVE-2023-40044	2023-10-02
Nuclei	WS_FTP Server - Insecure Deserialization

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	exploitation, exploits
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, CISA KEV, Metasploit, Nuclei, NVD, PoC in GitHub

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2023-40044 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 10.0) in Progress Ws Ftp Server, published September 27, 2023. CISA lists it as known to be exploited, since October 5, 2023. EUVD reports exploitation since October 5, 2023. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 90.4%, the 99th percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

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