Description
mod_sql in ProFTPD before 1.3.9a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a username, in scenarios where there is logging of USER requests with an expansion such as %U, and the SQL backend allows commands (e.g., COPY TO PROGRAM).
CVSS breakdown
CVSS 3.1
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Affected products
- ProFTPD / ProFTPD1.3.7b – 1.3.9a
Exploits & PoCs
- nucleiProFTPD mod_sql - Preauth User Backdoorby pussycat0x
References
- MISChttp://www.proftpd.org/docs/RELEASE_NOTES-1.3.10rc1
- MISChttps://github.com/proftpd/proftpd/issues/2052
- MISChttps://zeropath.com/blog/proftpd-cve-2026-42167-auth-bypass-privesc-rce
- MISChttps://github.com/ZeroPathAI/proftpd-CVE-2026-42167-poc
- MAILING_LISThttps://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/01/4