CVE-2025-5218 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0.0, specifically within an unspecified function of the LITERAL Command Handler component. This vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely send crafted input to the FTP server, causing a buffer overflow condition. Buffer overflows occur when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and leading to arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or system compromise. The vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network. 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 on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated low individually, suggesting limited but non-negligible consequences if exploited. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation attempts. The lack of available patches or mitigation guidance from the vendor at this time further elevates the threat. FTP servers are commonly used for file transfers in enterprise environments, and FreeFloat FTP Server, while not the most widespread FTP server, may be deployed in niche or legacy systems. The LITERAL command is part of FTP protocol extensions, and improper handling in this context can be leveraged by attackers to trigger the overflow remotely. Given the nature of FTP as a network-facing service, this vulnerability presents a tangible risk to affected systems if left unmitigated.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized remote code execution or denial of service on servers running FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0. This could result in disruption of business operations, data loss, or unauthorized access to sensitive files transferred via FTP. Organizations relying on FTP for critical file exchange, especially in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, or government, may face operational downtime or data breaches. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate impact, but the ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases the threat level. Additionally, since FTP transmits data in plaintext, attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially intercept or manipulate transferred data, further compromising confidentiality and integrity. European entities with legacy infrastructure or specialized applications using FreeFloat FTP Server are particularly at risk. The absence of patches means organizations must rely on network-level controls or alternative mitigations to reduce exposure. Failure to address this vulnerability could also lead to reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR if personal data is compromised.

1. Immediate mitigation should include isolating or disabling the FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0.0 instances until a vendor patch or update is available. 2. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to FTP servers only to trusted IP addresses and internal networks. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual or malformed FTP commands, especially those targeting the LITERAL command handler, using intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). 4. Consider deploying application-layer gateways or FTP proxies that can sanitize or block malicious FTP commands. 5. Where possible, replace FreeFloat FTP Server with more secure and actively maintained FTP solutions that support encrypted protocols such as FTPS or SFTP. 6. Implement strict logging and alerting on FTP server activity to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 7. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include steps to handle potential exploitation. 8. Regularly review and update network access policies to minimize exposure of FTP services to the internet or untrusted networks.