CVE-2025-31161: CrushFTP Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
CrushFTP 10 before 10.8.4 and 11 before 11.3.1 allows authentication bypass and takeover of the crushadmin account (unless a DMZ proxy instance is used), as exploited in the wild in March and April 2025, aka "Unauthenticated HTTP(S) port access." A race condition exists in the AWS4-HMAC (compatible with S3) authorization method of the HTTP component of the FTP server. The server first verifies the existence of the user by performing a call to loginuserpass() with no password requirement. This will authenticate the session through the HMAC verification process and up until the server checks for user verification once more. The vulnerability can be further stabilized, eliminating the need for successfully triggering a race condition, by sending a mangled AWS4-HMAC header. By providing only the username and a following slash (/), the server will successfully find a username, which triggers the successful anypass authentication process, but the server will fail to find the expected SignedHeaders entry, resulting in an index-out-of-bounds error that stops the code from reaching the session cleanup. Together, these issues make it trivial to authenticate as any known or guessable user (e.g., crushadmin), and can lead to a full compromise of the system by obtaining an administrative account.
Other sources
CrushFTP contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in the HTTP authorization header that allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to authenticate to any known or guessable user account (e.g., crushadmin), potentially leading to a full compromise.
— CISA
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
CrushFTP 10to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 10.8.4 - Upgrade
Upgrade
CrushFTP 11to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 11.3.1 - Remove
Remove
CrushFTPfrom your environment.Discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Compensating control
Deploy CrushFTP behind a DMZ proxy instance (use a DMZ proxy instance to prevent direct unauthenticated HTTP(S) port access).
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2025-31161?
CVE-2025-31161 has been classified as a critical vulnerability due to its potential for authentication bypass and account takeover.
How do I fix CVE-2025-31161?
To mitigate CVE-2025-31161, upgrade your CrushFTP software to version 10.8.4 or later for the 10.x series or version 11.3.1 or later for the 11.x series.
What are the potential impacts of CVE-2025-31161?
The exploitation of CVE-2025-31161 can lead to unauthorized access to the crushadmin account, resulting in potential data breaches or service disruptions.
Is there a workaround for CVE-2025-31161?
A temporary workaround for CVE-2025-31161 is to use a DMZ proxy instance to limit direct access to the vulnerable CrushFTP instances.
When was CVE-2025-31161 first exploited?
CVE-2025-31161 was reported to have been exploited in the wild during March and April of 2025.