CVE-2025-5111 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically within the TYPE Command Handler component. The TYPE command in FTP is used to specify the data representation type for file transfers. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of input data in this command, leading to a buffer overflow condition. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory. This can result in arbitrary code execution, crashes, or other unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, as the attacker can send crafted TYPE commands directly to the FTP server. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact metrics show low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, suggesting that while exploitation is possible, the extent of damage may be limited or mitigated by other factors. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigations have been officially published yet. The vulnerability disclosure date is May 23, 2025. Given the nature of FTP servers and their exposure on networks, this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to compromise affected servers, potentially leading to unauthorized access or denial of service conditions if exploited successfully.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the deployment of FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 within their infrastructure. FTP servers often handle file transfers for internal or external communications, and a compromised FTP server could lead to unauthorized data access or service disruption. Although the CVSS score indicates medium severity with low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, exploitation could still facilitate lateral movement within networks or serve as a foothold for further attacks. Organizations relying on legacy or unpatched FTP servers are at higher risk. Critical sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and government agencies in Europe that use FTP for file exchange could face operational disruptions or data exposure. Additionally, since the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, attackers can scan and exploit vulnerable servers remotely, increasing the threat surface. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but public disclosure may prompt attackers to develop exploits rapidly. Therefore, European organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize mitigation to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediate assessment of network infrastructure to identify any instances of FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0 in use. 2. If found, isolate these servers from public-facing networks until a patch or update is available. 3. Implement network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to FTP servers only to trusted IP addresses and internal networks. 4. Monitor FTP server logs for unusual TYPE command usage or other anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Consider replacing FreeFloat FTP Server with more modern, actively maintained FTP or SFTP solutions that have robust security features and regular patching. 6. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting buffer overflow attempts against FTP services. 7. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures in case of detection of exploitation attempts. 8. Stay updated with vendor announcements for patches or security advisories related to this vulnerability and apply updates promptly once available.