CVE-2017-15272: The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server stores its configuration inside PSFTPd.dat

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-15272 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting psftpd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server stores its configuration inside PSFTPd.dat. This file is a Microsoft Access Database and can be extracted. The application sets the encrypt flag with the password "ITsILLEGAL"; however, this password is not required to extract the data. Cleartext is used for a user password.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 53%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287, CWE-522
Published	2017-11-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: psftp

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-11-15 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

psftp psftpd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 10.0.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 10.0.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison psftpd sudo apt install psftpd=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.4> sudo apt-mark hold psftpd

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

dnf --showduplicates list psftpd sudo dnf downgrade psftpd-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.4> sudo dnf versionlock add psftpd

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-2017-15272?

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

Is CVE-2017-15272 being exploited?

CVE-2017-15272 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-2017-15272 affect?

CVE-2017-15272 affects psftpd. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server stores its configuration inside PSFTPd.dat. This file is a Microsoft Access Database and can be extracted. The application sets the encrypt flag with the password "ITsILLEGAL"; however, this password is no

How urgent is CVE-2017-15272?

Priority 30/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-15271 MEDIUM 5.9 DOWNGRADE A use-after-free issue could be triggered remotely in the SFTP component of PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729
CVE-2017-15270 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server does not properly escape data before writing it into a Comma Separated Valu
CVE-2017-15269 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server does not prevent FTP bounce scans by default

References

← Back to latest CVEs