Xlight FTP Server: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-67191 is a critical-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Xlight FTP Server from Xlight, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.9.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating Xlight FTP Server to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.96% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Xlight FTP Server to 3.9.5 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xlight | Xlight FTP Server | before 3.9.5 | 3.9.5 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Xlight FTP Server before 3.9.5 contains a pre-authentication heap buffer overflow vulnerability that allows remote unauthenticated attackers to write past the end of a heap buffer by sending a malformed SSH client identification string. A logic error in the recv loop's termination condition uses an incorrect OR operator where an AND operator is required, enabling exploitation on any SSH or SFTP connection before authentication occurs.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Xlight FTP Server
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.