CVE-2025-5548 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically within the NOOP command handler component. The NOOP command in FTP is typically used to keep the connection alive without performing any action. However, in this case, the vulnerability arises due to improper handling of input data in this command, allowing an attacker to send a specially crafted NOOP command that causes a buffer overflow. This overflow can potentially overwrite adjacent memory, leading to undefined behavior such as application crashes, memory corruption, or even arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/UI:N/PR:N). The CVSS v4.0 base score is 6.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, though with limited scope and impact (VC:L/VI:L/VA:L). No patches or fixes have been linked yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild at the time of publication. The disclosure date is June 4, 2025, and the vulnerability is publicly known, which increases the risk of exploitation attempts. Given the nature of FTP servers as network-facing services, this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to compromise affected servers remotely, potentially gaining control or causing denial of service conditions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-5548 depends largely on the deployment of FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 within their infrastructure. Organizations using this FTP server for file transfer operations expose themselves to risks including unauthorized code execution, data breaches, or service disruption. Confidentiality could be compromised if attackers gain access to sensitive files or credentials stored or transmitted via the FTP server. Integrity and availability are also at risk due to potential memory corruption and crashes. Critical infrastructure sectors, financial institutions, and enterprises relying on FTP for legacy systems may face operational disruptions and reputational damage. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, exploitation may require specific conditions or may not lead to full system compromise in all cases. However, the lack of authentication and user interaction requirements lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the threat level. European organizations should be particularly vigilant if FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 is used in exposed network segments or integrated with other critical systems.

Immediate mitigation steps include isolating or disabling the FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 instances until a vendor patch or update is available. Network-level controls such as firewall rules should restrict access to the FTP service to trusted IP addresses only. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or anomaly detection for FTP traffic to identify and block suspicious NOOP command patterns. Organizations should conduct thorough inventories to identify all instances of FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 and assess exposure. If FTP functionality is essential, consider migrating to more secure, actively maintained FTP server software that does not have this vulnerability. Additionally, implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a server is compromised. Monitoring logs for unusual FTP activity and establishing incident response plans for potential exploitation attempts are also recommended. Since no patches are currently available, these compensating controls are critical to reduce risk.