CVE-2024-58299 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in PCMan FTP Server version 2.0. The vulnerability resides in the handling of the 'pwd' command, which is used to print the current working directory in FTP sessions. During the FTP login process, an attacker can send a specially crafted payload that overflows the buffer allocated for processing the 'pwd' command. This overflow allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability requires no authentication, no user interaction, and can be exploited remotely over the network, making it highly accessible to attackers. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 9.3 reflects the critical nature of this flaw, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and no privileges or user interaction required. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be weaponized quickly. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the risk for organizations still running this version. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, a common and dangerous class of buffer overflow errors that often lead to remote code execution and full system compromise. Organizations using PCMan FTP Server 2.0 should consider immediate risk mitigation steps to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2024-58299 could lead to complete system compromise of servers running PCMan FTP Server 2.0. This includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of FTP services critical for file transfers, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Confidentiality is at high risk due to arbitrary code execution enabling data exfiltration. Integrity and availability are also severely impacted as attackers could modify or delete files and disrupt services. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies that rely on FTP for internal or external file transfers could face operational disruptions and regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability’s remote and unauthenticated nature increases the attack surface, making it easier for cybercriminals or state-sponsored actors to exploit. The absence of known exploits currently offers a window for proactive defense, but the critical severity demands urgent action to avoid potential breaches and ransomware attacks leveraging this flaw.

1. Immediately disable PCMan FTP Server 2.0 instances until a vendor patch is released. 2. Monitor network traffic for anomalous FTP commands, especially unusual 'pwd' command payloads. 3. Restrict FTP server access using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted IP addresses only. 4. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics targeting buffer overflow attempts in FTP traffic. 5. Consider migrating to more secure and actively maintained FTP server software that supports encrypted protocols like FTPS or SFTP. 6. Implement strict logging and alerting on FTP server activities to detect exploitation attempts early. 7. Educate IT staff about the vulnerability and ensure rapid incident response readiness. 8. Once available, apply official patches or updates from PCMan promptly and verify their effectiveness through testing. 9. Conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on FTP services to identify and remediate similar issues.