CVE-2013-2512: The ftpd gem 0.2.1 for Ruby allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2013-2512 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting ftpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The ftpd gem 0.2.1 for Ruby allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters in a LIST or NLST command argument within FTP protocol traffic.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.6% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2021-01-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ftpd project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-01-26 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ftpd project ftpd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.2.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ftpd sudo apt install ftpd=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.1> sudo apt-mark hold ftpd

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

dnf --showduplicates list ftpd sudo dnf downgrade ftpd-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.1> sudo dnf versionlock add 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.

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-2013-2512?

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

Is CVE-2013-2512 being exploited?

CVE-2013-2512 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-2013-2512 affect?

CVE-2013-2512 affects ftpd. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The ftpd gem 0.2.1 for Ruby allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters in a LIST or NLST command argument within FTP protocol traffic.

How urgent is CVE-2013-2512?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-45198 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE ftpd before "NetBSD-ftpd 20230930" can leak information about the host filesystem before authentication via an

References

← Back to latest CVEs