Cyber Resilience

CVE-2021-40524

HighPublic PoC

Published: 05 September 2021

Published
05 September 2021
Modified
04 November 2025
KEV Added
Patch
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS Score 0.3019 96.8th percentile
Risk Priority 33 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2021-40524 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Pureftpd Pure-Ftpd. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 3.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

In Pure-FTPd before 1.0.50, an incorrect max_filesize quota mechanism in the server allows attackers to upload files of unbounded size, which may lead to denial of service or a server hang. This occurs because a certain greater-than-zero test does not…

more

anticipate an initial -1 value. (Versions 1.0.23 through 1.0.49 are affected.)

CWE(s)

Related Threats

No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.

Affected Assets

pureftpd
pure-ftpd
1.0.23 — 1.0.50

Mitigating Controls

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-434

Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.

addresses: CWE-434

Dangerous file uploads can be detonated in the chamber to determine malice before any production write or execution occurs.

addresses: CWE-434

Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.

addresses: CWE-434

Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.

References