CVE-2025-4180 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in PCMan FTP Server version 2.0.7, specifically within the TRACE command handler component. The TRACE command is part of the FTP protocol used for diagnostic purposes, and improper handling of this command in the affected version leads to a buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to remotely send specially crafted TRACE commands to the FTP server, causing memory corruption. The buffer overflow could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code, crash the server, or cause denial of service. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, and the attack vector is network-based, making it remotely exploitable over the internet or internal networks where the FTP server is accessible. The disclosed CVSS 4.0 score is 6.9 (medium severity), reflecting the ease of exploitation (no privileges or user interaction required) but limited scope and impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated low). No public exploits are currently known to be actively used in the wild, but the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of future exploitation. No patches or mitigations have been officially released by the vendor at the time of publication, increasing the urgency for organizations to implement alternative protective measures.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant depending on the deployment of PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7 within their infrastructure. FTP servers often handle file transfers for internal and external communications, including sensitive data exchange. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to gain control over the affected server, potentially pivoting to other internal systems, exfiltrating data, or disrupting business operations through denial of service. Given the medium CVSS score, the direct impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but non-negligible, especially in environments where FTP servers are exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations relying on legacy or unpatched FTP servers may face increased risk. Additionally, the lack of authentication requirement and remote exploitability make this vulnerability attractive for opportunistic attackers. The absence of known active exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as public disclosure often leads to rapid development of exploit code. European organizations with critical infrastructure, government, or industrial sectors using PCMan FTP Server should prioritize assessment and mitigation to prevent potential compromise.

1. Immediate network-level controls: Restrict access to PCMan FTP Server instances by implementing firewall rules that limit incoming connections to trusted IP addresses or internal networks only. 2. Disable or restrict the TRACE command if possible: Review FTP server configuration to disable TRACE command handling or limit its functionality to prevent exploitation. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual TRACE command usage or anomalous FTP activity using IDS/IPS systems and SIEM solutions. 4. Segmentation: Isolate FTP servers from critical internal networks to contain potential breaches. 5. Vendor engagement: Monitor PCMan vendor communications for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Consider migrating to more secure file transfer solutions that support encrypted protocols (e.g., SFTP, FTPS) and have active security support. 7. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on FTP services to detect and remediate similar issues proactively. 8. Implement host-based protections such as application whitelisting and exploit mitigation technologies (e.g., DEP, ASLR) to reduce the impact of potential buffer overflow exploitation.