[Dominic Harr]

Yeah, it does. WU-FTP runs as root.

Where did you get that? I've never used that FTP software, but that makes *no* sense. Are you sure? I can't believe *anyone* would give any software 'root' access, especially any networking-type software like an FTP server.

If someone made the FTP client run as root on *purpose*, then absolutely that is a problem. But again, that isn't a 'Linux' problem now, is it? Not related to the OS or people making Linux, is it?

[lelio]

I can't believe *anyone* would give any software 'root' access, especially any networking-type software like an FTP server.
You have to make it run as root as the FTP ports are 20 and 21, which are less than 1024 meaning you have to be root to access them.
Plus it might su into your account if you ftp in with a username and password.

[Liberal Classic]

For a process to answer requests at a port below 1024, the process must run as root. Also the server needs to be able to read and write files you own, which requires root privilage.