CVE-2020-9272: ProFTPD 1.3.7 has an out-of-bounds (OOB) read vulnerability in mod_cap via the cap_text.c cap_to_text function

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-9272 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting proftpd, simatic net cp 1543-1 firmware, simatic net cp 1545-1 firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ProFTPD 1.3.7 has an out-of-bounds (OOB) read vulnerability in mod_cap via the cap_text.c cap_to_text function.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2020-02-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: opensuse · proftpd · siemens

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-02-20 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:27 UTCUpdated Record last modified

proftpd proftpd UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.3.6c

Fixed in: 1.3.6c

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.3.6c (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade proftpd

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade proftpd

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

siemens simatic net cp 1543-1 firmware UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.0

Fixed in: 3.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

siemens simatic net cp 1545-1 firmware MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

opensuse backports sle DOWNGRADE

Affected: 15.0 · 15.0 sp1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy backports-sle || rpm -q backports-sle || backports-sle --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 15.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison backports-sle sudo apt install backports-sle=<VERSION_BEFORE_15.0> sudo apt-mark hold backports-sle

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

dnf --showduplicates list backports-sle sudo dnf downgrade backports-sle-<VERSION_BEFORE_15.0> sudo dnf versionlock add backports-sle

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2020-9272?

proftpd: upgrade to 1.3.6c; simatic net cp 1543-1 firmware: upgrade to 3.0; simatic net cp 1545-1 firmware: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-9272 being exploited?

CVE-2020-9272 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-2020-9272 affect?

CVE-2020-9272 affects proftpd, simatic net cp 1543-1 firmware, simatic net cp 1545-1 firmware. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). ProFTPD 1.3.7 has an out-of-bounds (OOB) read vulnerability in mod_cap via the cap_text.c cap_to_text function.

How urgent is CVE-2020-9272?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

ProFTPD vulnerabilities · Siemens vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-35025 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE ProFTPD through 1.3.9b and 1.3.10rc2 contains an access control bypass vulnerability that allows authenticated
CVE-2026-53994 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE ProFTPD mod_sftp contains a heap-based buffer overflow reachable by an authenticated SFTP user
CVE-2015-3306 CRITICAL 10.0 EXPLOITED MITIGATE MITIGATE ProFTPD Improper Access Control Vulnerability
CVE-2026-63090 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE ProFTPD before 1.3.9c and 1.3.10rc3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the mod_sftp module
CVE-2026-63091 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE ProFTPD before 1.3.9c and 1.3.10rc3 contains a signed integer overflow vulnerability in the mod_sftp module's

References

← Back to latest CVEs