CVE-2025-5596 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically within the REGET Command Handler component. The vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely send specially crafted commands to the FTP server, causing a buffer overflow condition. This overflow can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service on the affected server. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or 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 being network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as low to medium, suggesting that while exploitation could disrupt service or allow limited unauthorized actions, it may not lead to full system compromise. No patches or fixes have been explicitly linked yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild at the time of publication. However, the public disclosure of the vulnerability increases the risk of exploitation attempts. The FreeFloat FTP Server is a legacy or niche FTP server product, and version 1.0 is affected, which may limit the scope of impact depending on deployment prevalence. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation or bounds checking in the REGET command processing, a common source of buffer overflow issues in network services.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-5596 depends largely on the presence and criticality of FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 within their infrastructure. Organizations relying on this FTP server for file transfer services could face service disruption or unauthorized code execution risks if exploited. This could lead to data breaches, service outages, or lateral movement within networks. Given the medium severity and lack of known active exploits, immediate widespread impact is unlikely, but targeted attacks against organizations using this software are plausible. Industries with legacy systems or specialized FTP server deployments, such as manufacturing, logistics, or government agencies, might be more vulnerable. The remote exploitability without authentication increases risk, especially if the FTP server is exposed to the internet or untrusted networks. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low to medium, but availability could be affected if denial of service occurs. European organizations must consider compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, as exploitation leading to data loss or breach could have legal and reputational consequences.

1. Immediate mitigation should include isolating or restricting network access to FreeFloat FTP Server instances, especially from untrusted or public networks. 2. Monitor network traffic for unusual REGET command usage or anomalous FTP activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. If possible, disable or restrict the REGET command functionality until a patch is available. 4. Conduct an inventory of all FTP servers to identify any FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 deployments and prioritize their remediation. 5. Implement network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics targeting this vulnerability or suspicious FTP commands. 6. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 7. Consider migrating to more modern, actively maintained FTP server solutions with better security track records. 8. Apply strict access controls and segmentation to limit the impact of any potential compromise. 9. Regularly update and patch all network-facing services to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.