CVE-2025-4847 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2025
A vulnerability has been found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component MLS Command Handler. The manipulation leads to buffer overflow. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4847 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically within the MLS Command Handler component. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which encompasses buffer overflow conditions that occur when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The affected MLS command handler processes directory listing requests and is susceptible to malformed input that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, meaning malicious actors can trigger the buffer overflow without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack surface expands significantly given that FTP servers typically operate on well-known ports and are accessible over networks, making them prime targets for remote exploitation. The buffer overflow in the MLS Command Handler allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling privilege escalation or complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe risks to organizations relying on FreeFloat FTP Server for file transfer operations. The remote exploitability combined with the critical severity classification means that successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, system takeover, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The disclosure of exploit details to the public community significantly amplifies the threat landscape, as it removes the element of technical sophistication required for exploitation and allows threat actors of varying skill levels to leverage this vulnerability.
The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using this vulnerable FTP server version face increased risk of unauthorized data access, especially in environments where sensitive information is stored or transferred through FTP protocols. The vulnerability's classification as critical aligns with industry standards for assessing risk, particularly when considering that buffer overflows are among the most frequently exploited classes of vulnerabilities in cybersecurity incidents. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the FreeFloat FTP Server to the latest version, implementing network segmentation to limit FTP server exposure, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary FTP services and implementing alternative secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP or FTPS to reduce attack surface and improve overall security posture.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper input validation mechanisms in network services. The presence of such a flaw in a widely used FTP server application highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for FTP server accounts and monitoring for unusual directory listing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the public availability of the exploit, immediate remediation is essential to prevent potential compromise of systems running the vulnerable FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0.