# Progress WS_FTP Server: Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CVE-2023-40044) · pwn.watch

> Progress WS_FTP Server contains a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in the Ad Hoc Transfer module that allows an authenticated attacker to execute remote commands on the underlying operating system. Added to CISA KEV on 2023-10-05. CISA lists known use in ransomware campaigns.

Page: https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044 · generated 2026-10-23T01:02:50.524Z

## Status
- Severity: high · status: closed · patch: patched
- Product: Progress WS_FTP Server
- Started: 2023-10-05 · closed: 2023-10-05
- CVEs: CVE-2023-40044
- Affected: See vendor advisory / CISA notes (versions not always listed in KEV feed)
- Fixed in: See vendor advisory linked in sources

## Follow this incident
- RSS (one item per update): https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044/feed.xml
- JSON Feed: https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044/feed.json
- Full data (timeline, sources, posts, agentBrief): https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044.json
- This file: https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044/llms.txt

## Updates (newest first)
- 2023-10-05: CISA added CVE-2023-40044 to the KEV catalog (due 2023-10-26).

## Fix brief
# Security brief: Progress WS_FTP Server: Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CVE-2023-40044)

Source: https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044 · status: closed (closed Oct 5, 2023) · severity: high · updated Oct 5, 2023

## Patch status
**PATCHED: fixed releases exist. Upgrade to a fixed version.**

## What it is
Progress WS_FTP Server contains a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability in the Ad Hoc Transfer module that allows an authenticated attacker to execute remote commands on the underlying operating system. Added to CISA KEV on 2023-10-05. CISA lists known use in ransomware campaigns.

Severity detail: CVSS 8.8 (NVD), actively exploited (CISA KEV), known ransomware use

- Product: Progress WS_FTP Server
- CVE / advisory ids: CVE-2023-40044

## Affected versions
- See vendor advisory / CISA notes (versions not always listed in KEV feed)

## Check whether you're affected
No generic command applies (the product is a hosted service, appliance or desktop app). Check the installed version in its admin UI / About screen and compare with the versions above.

## Fix
Upgrade to one of these fixed versions (or later on the same branch):
- See vendor advisory linked in sources

After upgrading, re-run the checks above and redeploy/restart the affected services.

## Latest updates
- Oct 5, 2023: CISA added CVE-2023-40044 to the KEV catalog (due 2023-10-26).

## Advisories
- [Vendor advisory: Progress WS_FTP Server](https://community.progress.com/s/article/WS-FTP-Server-Critical-Vulnerability-September-2023) (Progress)
- [NVD: CVE-2023-40044](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-40044) (NVD)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog) (CISA)

## Caveats
Derived from CISA KEV JSON feed catalogVersion 2026.10.21. Exact affected/fixed version strings are not always in the KEV record — verify against the vendor advisory URL. startedAt uses dateAdded (exploitation may have begun earlier).

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Machine-readable: https://pwn.watch/i/progress-ws-ftp-server-cve-2023-40044.json · all incidents: https://pwn.watch/incidents.json. Verify against the vendor advisory before changing production systems.