# CVE-2009-0542: SQL injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands via a percent character in the username if mod_sql is enabled, potentially leading to code execution or data theft.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 Feb 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2009-0542, GHSA-m4rf-c9xj-c2gp

## What is CVE-2009-0542?

CVE-2009-0542 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Feb 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

SQL injection vulnerability in ProFTPD Server 1.3.1 through 1.3.2rc2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a "%" (percent) character in the username, which introduces a "'" (single quote) character during variable substitution by mod_sql.

Weakness: CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-0542?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Proftpd Project Proftpd.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-0542?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2009-0542 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-0542 exists.

Public exploit code:

- ProFTPd 1.3 - 'mod_sql' 'Username' SQL Injection (exploitdb)
- ProFTPd - 'mod_mysql' Authentication Bypass (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2006-5815](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-5815/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2003-0500](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0500/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-1999-0911](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-1999-0911/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2003-0831](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2003-0831/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.0)
- [CVE-2005-4816](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-4816/): Memory corruption in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-0542 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-0542 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Feb 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-0542 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0542/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0542/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-0542
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0542
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-0542

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0542/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.