CVE-2025-3380 Overview
A buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7 affecting the FEAT Command Handler component. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit improper memory handling when the server processes specially crafted FEAT commands, potentially leading to memory corruption, application crashes, and possible code execution.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this buffer overflow vulnerability over the network without authentication, potentially compromising systems running PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7.
Affected Products
- PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7
- Systems running vulnerable versions of pcman:ftp_server
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-07 - CVE-2025-3380 published to NVD
- 2025-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-3380
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) exists in the FEAT Command Handler of PCMan FTP Server. The FEAT command is part of the FTP protocol used to query server feature extensions. When the server receives a malformed or oversized FEAT command, it fails to properly validate the input length before copying data into a fixed-size memory buffer, resulting in a classic buffer overflow condition.
The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of active exploitation. Remote attackers can send crafted network packets to the FTP service without requiring authentication, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for internet-facing FTP servers.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper bounds checking in the FEAT Command Handler. The server allocates a fixed-size buffer for processing FTP commands but does not validate that incoming data fits within the allocated buffer space before performing memory operations. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program state or hijacking execution flow.
Attack Vector
The attack can be launched remotely over the network. An attacker connects to the vulnerable FTP server on its listening port (typically port 21) and sends a specially crafted FEAT command containing an oversized payload. The malformed input triggers the buffer overflow in the command handler, which can lead to:
- Denial of service through application crash
- Memory corruption affecting server stability
- Potential arbitrary code execution if the attacker can control overwritten memory
The vulnerability requires no user interaction and no prior authentication to the FTP service.
For technical details on the exploitation mechanism, refer to the Fitoxs Exploit Document and the VulDB entry #303626.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3380
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual FTP server crashes or service restarts
- Abnormally large FEAT command requests in FTP logs
- Network traffic containing oversized FTP command payloads targeting port 21
- Memory corruption errors or access violations in PCMan FTP Server logs
Detection Strategies
- Monitor FTP server logs for malformed or oversized FEAT commands
- Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify buffer overflow attack patterns targeting FTP services
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous FTP server behavior
- Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI to identify exploitation attempts and memory corruption events
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on FTP servers to capture command-level details
- Monitor network traffic for connections to port 21 with abnormal payload sizes
- Set up alerts for FTP service crashes or unexpected restarts
- Review system event logs for memory access violations related to the FTP server process
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3380
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or restrict access to PCMan FTP Server 2.0.7 until a patch is available
- Implement network-level access controls to limit FTP server exposure to trusted networks only
- Consider migrating to a more actively maintained FTP server solution
- Deploy web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems with rules to block oversized FTP commands
Patch Information
No vendor patch is currently available for this vulnerability. PCMan FTP Server appears to be legacy software with limited active development. Organizations should evaluate alternative FTP server solutions that receive regular security updates.
For additional vulnerability intelligence, refer to:
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to the FTP server using firewall rules to allow only trusted IP addresses
- Place the FTP server behind a VPN to reduce attack surface exposure
- Implement rate limiting on FTP connections to mitigate automated exploitation attempts
- Consider using SFTP or FTPS alternatives that may provide better security postures
# Example firewall rule to restrict FTP access (iptables)
# Allow FTP only from trusted network 192.168.1.0/24
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 21 -s 192.168.1.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 21 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
