# CVE-2023-40044: WS_FTP Server - RCE

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2023-40044 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2023-40044

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 10.0
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Progress WS_FTP Server
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)
- **Tags:** file_sharing

## Description

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.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2023-40044](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2023-40044) is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in WS_FTP Server versions prior to 8.7.4 and 8.8.2, where a pre-authenticated attacker can exploit a .NET deserialization flaw in the Ad Hoc Transfer module to execute arbitrary commands on the server. This vulnerability could be leveraged for full system compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 15th of December 2023.

CrowdSec has not observed any significant exploitation activity targeting CVE-2023-40044 across its network. As a result, no community-driven trend analysis is available for this vulnerability at this time.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted POST requests to `/aht/ahtapiservice.asmx/authuser`, targeting the WS_FTP Ad Hoc API to achieve remote code execution.

## Timeline

- 2023-09-27: CVE Published. CVE-2023-40044 is published to NVD.
- 2023-10-05: CISA KEV. CVE-2023-40044 is added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog by CISA.
- 2023-10-26: CISA Remediation Deadline. Expiration of the CISA remediation deadline as described in [BOD 22-01](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-22-01-reducing-significant-risk-known-exploited-vulnerabilities).
- 2023-12-15: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2023-40044 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.

## References

- https://www.progress.com/ws_ftp
- https://community.progress.com/s/article/WS-FTP-Server-Critical-Vulnerability-September-2023
- https://www.assetnote.io/resources/research/rce-in-progress-ws-ftp-ad-hoc-via-iis-http-modules-cve-2023-40044

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2023-40044) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2023-40044. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.