# CVE-1999-0080: Washington University wu-ftpd privilege escalation via site exec command

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0080-washington-university-wu-ftpd-privilege-escalation-via-site-exec  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1995-11-30. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0080 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Published 1995-11-30

The wu-ftpd software is a service used to transfer files between computers over a network. A configuration flaw in version 2.4 allows users who have logged into the server to execute restricted system commands. This could allow an attacker to take complete control of the server, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive data or a total service shutdown.

Technologies: [Washington University Wu-Ftpd](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/wu-ftpd). Vendors: [Washington University](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/washington-university).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0080 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0080 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0080?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 30 November 1995.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Washington University wu-ftpd 2.4.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0080?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-1999-0080 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0080?** Check whether you run Washington University Wu-Ftpd. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in wu-ftpd 2.4 due to an insecure default or manual configuration of the _PATH_EXECPATH setting. When this path is set to a directory containing sensitive system binaries (like /bin), the 'site exec' command can be abused to run those binaries with the privileges of the FTP daemon. An authenticated remote attacker can leverage this to execute arbitrary commands, typically resulting in a full root compromise of the host system. This issue is categorized as an improper path configuration leading to command execution.

## Affected products

- Washington University wu-ftpd 2.4

## Timeline

- 1995-11-30: advisory: Initial publication date

## References

- [https://archive.nanog.org/mailinglist/mailarchives/old_archive/1995-11/msg00385.html](https://archive.nanog.org/mailinglist/mailarchives/old_archive/1995-11/msg00385.html)

## Related threats

- [wu-ftpd and BSDI ftpd race condition in SITE EXEC command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0955-wu-ftpd-and-bsdi-ftpd-race-condition-in-site-exec-command)
- [Washington University wu-ftpd privilege escalation via ABOR command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1326-washington-university-wu-ftpd-privilege-escalation-via-abor)
- [Washington University wu-ftpd authentication bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0156-washington-university-wu-ftpd-authentication-bypass)
- [Washington University wu-ftpd buffer overflow in PASV command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0076-washington-university-wu-ftpd-buffer-overflow-in-pasv-command)
- [Washington University wu-ftpd file overwrite via rnfr command](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0081-washington-university-wu-ftpd-file-overwrite-via-rnfr-command)