CVE-2020-6857: CarbonFTP v1.4 uses insecure proprietary password encryption with a hard-coded weak encryption key

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MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-6857 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting carbonftp. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

CarbonFTP v1.4 uses insecure proprietary password encryption with a hard-coded weak encryption key. The key for local FTP server passwords is hard-coded in the binary.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-327, CWE-798
Published	2020-01-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: taskautomation

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-01-21 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:23 UTCUpdated Record last modified

taskautomation carbonftp DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison carbonftp sudo apt install carbonftp=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo apt-mark hold carbonftp

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

dnf --showduplicates list carbonftp sudo dnf downgrade carbonftp-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo dnf versionlock add carbonftp

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: Neowise CarbonFTP 1.4 - Insecure Proprietary Password Encryption

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-2020-6857?

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

Is CVE-2020-6857 being exploited?

CVE-2020-6857 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-2020-6857 affect?

CVE-2020-6857 affects carbonftp. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). CarbonFTP v1.4 uses insecure proprietary password encryption with a hard-coded weak encryption key. The key for local FTP server passwords is hard-coded in the binary.

How urgent is CVE-2020-6857?

Priority 40/100. Public exploit reference

References

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