CVE-2025-68920 is a critical vulnerability identified in the C-Kermit software, a communication and file transfer tool widely used in legacy and specialized environments. The vulnerability arises from a missing authorization check (CWE-862) in versions up to 10.0 Beta.12 (specifically version 7 as noted), allowing a remote Kermit system to perform unauthorized file operations on the local host. Specifically, an attacker can overwrite files on the local system or retrieve arbitrary files without any authentication or user interaction. The flaw exists in the protocol handling of file transfer commands, where the system fails to verify if the remote entity is authorized to perform these sensitive operations. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.9, reflecting a network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and a scope change (S:C) that affects confidentiality and integrity at a high level, with a low impact on availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk for data exfiltration and unauthorized modification of files, potentially leading to further system compromise or disruption of critical processes. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by affected organizations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-68920 can be substantial, particularly in sectors relying on C-Kermit for secure file transfers and communications, such as research institutions, industrial control systems, and governmental agencies. Unauthorized file overwrites can lead to data corruption, loss of critical configuration files, or insertion of malicious payloads, compromising system integrity and operational continuity. The ability to retrieve arbitrary files threatens confidentiality, exposing sensitive data including intellectual property, personal data protected under GDPR, or classified information. The vulnerability's exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within networks, escalating the risk of broader compromise. Given the high CVSS score and the absence of required authentication, attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without user interaction, increasing the attack surface. The impact is exacerbated in environments where C-Kermit is exposed to untrusted networks or insufficiently segmented internal networks. Additionally, the potential for scope change means that the vulnerability could affect other components or systems connected to the compromised host, amplifying the damage.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Immediately restrict network access to C-Kermit services by applying firewall rules or network segmentation to limit exposure only to trusted hosts and networks. 2) Monitor and log all file transfer activities involving C-Kermit to detect unusual or unauthorized operations promptly. 3) Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics tailored to detect anomalous Kermit protocol commands indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Where possible, disable or replace C-Kermit with more secure, actively maintained file transfer solutions that enforce robust authorization controls. 5) Apply principle of least privilege to the accounts and systems running C-Kermit to minimize potential damage from exploitation. 6) Stay informed about vendor updates and patches; apply security updates as soon as they become available. 7) Conduct internal audits to identify all instances of C-Kermit deployment, including legacy systems, to ensure comprehensive coverage of mitigation efforts. 8) Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to enhance detection and response capabilities.