CVE-2025-5050 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically within the BELL Command Handler component. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, crashes, or other unpredictable behavior. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The attack surface is the FTP server's handling of the BELL command, which is a less commonly used FTP command but still part of the protocol. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but no known exploits are reported in the wild yet. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the potential for partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but with some limitations (low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability). The lack of authentication requirement and remote exploitability heighten the risk, although the absence of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest that exploitation may require some specific conditions or may not lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the FreeFloat FTP Server, which is an older or less common FTP server product. No patches or mitigation links are currently provided, indicating that organizations must rely on other defensive measures until an official fix is released.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the presence and use of FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 within their infrastructure. FTP servers often handle file transfers, including sensitive or critical data. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or disruption of services. Given the medium severity and partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, an attacker might be able to cause service interruptions or gain limited access to the system. This could affect business operations, especially for organizations relying on FTP for internal or external file exchanges. Additionally, if the compromised server is part of a larger network, attackers could use it as a foothold for lateral movement. European organizations in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, or government that use legacy FTP servers may be particularly at risk. The lack of authentication requirement increases the threat surface, making it easier for remote attackers to attempt exploitation. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest that immediate widespread impact may be limited, but vigilance is necessary.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or restricting access to the BELL command on FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 if possible, to prevent exploitation of the vulnerable component. 2. Network-level controls such as firewall rules should be applied to restrict FTP server access to trusted IP addresses only, minimizing exposure to the internet. 3. Monitor FTP server logs for unusual or malformed BELL command usage that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. If feasible, replace or upgrade FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 with a more recent, supported FTP server version or alternative secure file transfer solutions that are actively maintained and patched. 5. Implement network segmentation to isolate FTP servers from critical internal systems, limiting potential lateral movement in case of compromise. 6. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics to detect buffer overflow attempts targeting FTP services. 7. Stay alert for official patches or advisories from FreeFloat or security vendors and apply them promptly once available. 8. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focusing on FTP services to identify and remediate similar weaknesses.