CVE-2002-1522: Buffer overflow in PowerFTP FTP server 2.24, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a d

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1522 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting powerftp. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in PowerFTP FTP server 2.24, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long USER argument.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	13.6% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-04-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cooolsoft

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-04-02 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cooolsoft powerftp DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.03 · 2.10 · 2.23 · 2.24

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.03

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy powerftp || rpm -q powerftp || powerftp --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.03 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison powerftp sudo apt install powerftp=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.03> sudo apt-mark hold powerftp

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list powerftp sudo dnf downgrade powerftp-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.03> sudo dnf versionlock add powerftp

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.x - Remote Denial of Service (1)
Exploit-DB: Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.x - Remote Denial of Service (2)
Exploit-DB: Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.x - Remote Denial of Service (3)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-1522?

powerftp: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-1522 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1522 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-1522 affect?

CVE-2002-1522 affects powerftp. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Buffer overflow in PowerFTP FTP server 2.24, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long USER argument.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1522?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-0264 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE PowerFTP Personal FTP Server 2.03 through 2.10 stores sensitive account information in plaintext in the ftpser
CVE-2001-0934 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.03 allows remote attackers to obtain the physical path of the server root via the
CVE-2001-0933 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.03 allows remote attackers to list the contents of arbitrary drives via a ls (LIST
CVE-2001-0932 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.03 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and pos
CVE-2001-0931 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Directory traversal vulnerability in Cooolsoft PowerFTP Server 2.03 allows attackers to list or read arbitrary

References

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