Cyber Resilience

CVE-2019-12815

Debian Linux 10.0 … 9.0

Public PoCHigh EPSS
Published
19 July 2019
Modified
04 November 2025
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 9.8
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.58 99th percentile
Risk Priority 97 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2019-12815 is a critical-severity Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions (CWE-755) vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).

Operationally, ranked in the top 1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

An arbitrary file copy vulnerability in mod_copy in ProFTPD up to 1.3.5b allows for remote code execution and information disclosure without authentication, a related issue to CVE-2015-3306.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

Likely ATT&CK TechniquesAI

Techniques this vulnerability likely enables, inferred from its description, weakness type, and attributed-actor tradecraft. Confidence is per-technique.

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Accessconfidence: HIGH
Unauthenticated arbitrary file copy in ProFTPD directly enables exploitation of a public-facing FTP service.
T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer Command And Controlconfidence: HIGH
Arbitrary file copy can be used to transfer malicious payloads onto the target system.
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Executionconfidence: MEDIUM
Copied files can be leveraged to achieve command execution on the compromised host.
inferred from description + CWE · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2021-38003Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2023-44488Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2023-48232Same product: Fedoraproject Fedora
CVE-2020-7247Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2019-14287Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2020-13965Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2023-4351Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2023-6510Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2023-47272Same product: Debian Debian Linux
CVE-2024-26994Same product: Debian Debian Linux

Affected Assets

proftpd
proftpd
≤ 1.3.5b
fedoraproject
fedora
29, 30
debian
debian linux
10.0, 8.0, 9.0
siemens
simatic cp 1543-1 firmware
2.0 — 2.2

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 1 hardening rule · 1 OS baseline
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-755

Provides defined handling (alert and additional actions) for the exceptional condition of audit logging failure.

addresses: CWE-755

Supplies a concrete handling action (safe mode) for exceptional conditions, mitigating risks from improper or absent handling that could allow continued attacks.

addresses: CWE-755

By preparing users for contingency scenarios, the control promotes proper handling of exceptional conditions instead of default or unsafe behaviors.

addresses: CWE-755

An updated contingency plan defines current actions for exceptional conditions, reducing the window for attackers to exploit improper handling leading to system failure.

addresses: CWE-755

Procedures ensure proper handling of exceptional conditions to support effective incident response.

addresses: CWE-755

Incident response testing confirms proper handling of exceptional conditions to limit exploit impact.

addresses: CWE-755

Gives users guidance on incident handling, reducing improper handling of exceptional conditions that could stem from exploited weaknesses.

addresses: CWE-755

Enforces structured response to exceptional conditions so the system cannot remain in an unsafe state.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices explicitly require proper exception and error handling during design and coding.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

detects

Security testing in development and acceptance verifies correct handling of exceptional conditions.

degrades

Documented operating procedures may specify exception handling but do not guarantee implementation.

A.8.15 Logging partial match
detects

Logging captures unhandled exceptions, aiding detection but not preventing the weakness.

detects

Monitoring can surface unhandled exceptions but does not enforce proper handling.

prevents

Secure SDLC mandates exception-handling requirements and testing that directly prevent improper handling of exceptional conditions.

prevents

Application security requirements explicitly include handling of error and exceptional conditions.

References