CVE-2005-0256: The wu_fnmatch function in wu_fnmatch.c in wu-ftpd 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial o

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-0256 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting wu-ftpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The wu_fnmatch function in wu_fnmatch.c in wu-ftpd 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU exhaustion by recursion) via a glob pattern with a large number of * (wildcard) characters, as demonstrated using the dir command.

Why this priority

EPSS top 8%: 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	5.2% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2005-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: washington university

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-05-02 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

washington university wu-ftpd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.6.1 · 2.6.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.6.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy wu-ftpd || rpm -q wu-ftpd || wu-ftpd --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.6.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wu-ftpd sudo apt install wu-ftpd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.1> sudo apt-mark hold wu-ftpd

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

dnf --showduplicates list wu-ftpd sudo dnf downgrade wu-ftpd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.1> sudo dnf versionlock add wu-ftpd

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: WU-FTPD 2.6.2 - File Globbing Denial of Service

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-2005-0256?

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

Is CVE-2005-0256 being exploited?

CVE-2005-0256 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-2005-0256 affect?

CVE-2005-0256 affects wu-ftpd. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The wu_fnmatch function in wu_fnmatch.c in wu-ftpd 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU exhaustion by recursion) via a glob pattern with a large number of * (wildcard) characters, as demonstrated using t

How urgent is CVE-2005-0256?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

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References

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