CVE-2025-46836
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability in net-tools versions up to 2.10 allows unauthenticated local users to execute arbitrary code or crash the system by exploiting improper validation of interface labels from /proc/net/dev. This affects Linux systems using vulnerable net-tools utilities like ifconfig. The attack requires local access but does not provide privilege escalation.
💻 Affected Systems
- net-tools
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Arbitrary code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution in the context of the user running the vulnerable utility.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if vulnerable utilities are not used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and manipulation of /proc/net/dev contents. The advisory provides technical details but no public exploit code.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.20
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/ecki/net-tools/security/advisories/GHSA-pfwf-h6m3-63wf
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update net-tools to version 2.20 or later using your distribution's package manager. 2. For Debian/Ubuntu: apt update && apt upgrade net-tools. 3. For RHEL/CentOS: yum update net-tools. 4. For source installations: Download from GitHub and compile.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Replace net-tools with iproute2
linuxUse iproute2 utilities (ip, ss) instead of net-tools (ifconfig, netstat)
apt install iproute2
yum install iproute
Restrict access to net-tools binaries
linuxRemove execute permissions or use mandatory access controls
chmod 750 /sbin/ifconfig
chmod 750 /bin/netstat
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or restrict execute permissions on net-tools binaries to prevent unauthorized use.
- Monitor for unusual process creation or crashes related to net-tools utilities.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check net-tools version: ifconfig --version 2>&1 | head -1Check Version:
ifconfig --version 2>&1 | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 2.20 or higher: ifconfig --version 2>&1 | grep -q 'net-tools 2\.2' && echo 'Patched'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Crashes of ifconfig, netstat, or other net-tools utilities
- Unusual process execution from net-tools binaries
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
process.name:ifconfig OR process.name:netstat AND (event.action:process_crash OR event.outcome:failure)