CVE-2025-5665 in FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2025
A vulnerability was found in FreeFloat FTP Server 1.0. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the component XCWD Command Handler. The manipulation leads to buffer overflow. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5665 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the FreeFloat FTP Server version 1.0, specifically affecting the XCWD Command Handler component. This classification indicates the severity of the issue and its potential for widespread exploitation across systems running this particular FTP server implementation. The XCWD command, which is used for changing directories within the FTP protocol, serves as the attack vector for this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous as it directly impacts core FTP functionality that administrators and users rely upon for file management operations.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper input validation within the XCWD command handler, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted input to exceed the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow condition creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations and can potentially overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system, as the flaw can be triggered through network-based attacks targeting the FTP server's listening ports.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations that continue to operate legacy FreeFloat FTP Server installations, particularly those in environments where FTP services remain active and accessible to external networks. The public disclosure of exploitation techniques further amplifies the threat landscape, as security researchers and malicious actors alike can leverage this knowledge to compromise vulnerable systems. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, persistent access through backdoor installation, and lateral movement within network environments where FTP servers serve as entry points.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate mitigation efforts including patching or upgrading to supported FTP server versions, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to FTP services, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls, disabling unnecessary FTP services, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems running legacy FTP implementations that may share similar architectural flaws.