CVE-2023-40044
CRITICALCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
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.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
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.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Remediation due: 2023-10-26
Associated with ransomware campaigns
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-0669 | High | 7.2 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2021-44228 | Critical | 10.0 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2021-35464 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2025-53770 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2023-29300 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2025-59287 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2023-40044?
Upgrade ws ftp server to 8.8.2 or later.
Is CVE-2023-40044 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2023-40044 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. CISA has also linked it to known ransomware campaigns. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2023-10-26. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.
How severe is CVE-2023-40044?
CVE-2023-40044 has a CVSS v3 base score of 10.0, rated critical. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2023-40044 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for ws ftp server (NVD). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
Embed a live status badge for CVE-2023-40044
Markdown
[](https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2023-40044)HTML
<a href="https://tridentstack.com/cve/CVE-2023-40044"><img src="https://tridentstack.com/cve/badge/CVE-2023-40044.svg" alt="CVE-2023-40044"></a>Find and fix vulnerabilities across your fleet
TridentStack Control continuously scans your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet for known vulnerabilities, prioritizes them by severity and active exploitation, and patches them automatically.
This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-10-31.