CVE-2025-1365
📋 TL;DR
A critical buffer overflow vulnerability in GNU elfutils' eu-readelf component allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by manipulating the D/a argument in the process_symtab function. This affects systems running vulnerable versions of elfutils where eu-readelf is accessible. Local access is required to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- GNU elfutils
📦 What is this software?
Elfutils by Elfutils Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation leading to full system compromise, arbitrary code execution as the user running eu-readelf, or complete system crash.
Likely Case
Denial of service (eu-readelf crash) or limited code execution within the context of the user running the vulnerable binary.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper access controls prevent unauthorized local users from executing eu-readelf or if the binary is not present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit has been publicly disclosed and requires local access. The buffer overflow manipulation is straightforward once access is obtained.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after commit 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81
Vendor Advisory: https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=32654
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update elfutils package through your distribution's package manager. 2. For source installations: apply patch from commit 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81 and recompile. 3. Verify eu-readelf version is updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove eu-readelf execute permissions
linuxPrevent unauthorized users from executing the vulnerable binary
chmod 750 /usr/bin/eu-readelf
chown root:root /usr/bin/eu-readelf
Remove eu-readelf binary
linuxCompletely remove the vulnerable binary if not needed
rm -f /usr/bin/eu-readelf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit which users can execute eu-readelf
- Monitor for suspicious eu-readelf execution patterns and file system access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run: eu-readelf --version | grep 'elfutils' and check if version is 0.192 or earlierCheck Version:
eu-readelf --version | grep 'elfutils'Verify Fix Applied:
Check eu-readelf version is newer than 0.192 or verify patch commit 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81 is applied📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual eu-readelf execution by non-privileged users
- Segmentation fault or crash logs from eu-readelf
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
process.name == "eu-readelf" AND user.name != "root" AND user.name != "system_users"