CVE-2025-47869
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Apache NuttX RTOS's XMLRPC example application due to hardcoded buffer sizes in device stats structures. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash systems by sending specially crafted XMLRPC requests. It affects users who have used or based their code on the vulnerable example application from Apache NuttX releases 6.22 through 12.8.x.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache NuttX RTOS
📦 What is this software?
Nuttx by Apache
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Denial of service through system crashes or instability in affected XMLRPC implementations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper input validation and buffer bounds checking are implemented independently of the vulnerable example.
🎯 Exploit Status
Buffer overflow exploitation is well-understood, and XMLRPC typically doesn't require authentication, making exploitation straightforward if vulnerable code is deployed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 12.9.0
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.apache.org/thread/306qcqyc3bpb2ozh015yxjo9kqs4jbvj
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Apache NuttX RTOS to version 12.9.0 or later. 2. Review and update any custom code based on the vulnerable XMLRPC example. 3. Recompile and redeploy affected applications. 4. Restart systems using the updated NuttX build.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable XMLRPC Example Code
allRemove or disable the vulnerable XMLRPC example application from builds
# In NuttX configuration, disable CONFIG_EXAMPLES_XMLRPC
# Or remove apps/examples/xmlrpc from source tree
Implement Input Validation
allAdd bounds checking for XMLRPC parameter buffers in custom implementations
// In code: validate string lengths before copying
// Ensure buffers use CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE+1 size
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate XMLRPC services behind firewalls with strict network access controls
- Implement runtime memory protection mechanisms like stack canaries or ASLR if supported
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your NuttX build includes apps/examples/xmlrpc and uses hardcoded buffer sizes instead of CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE+1Check Version:
# In NuttX build directory: make version or check include/nuttx/version.hVerify Fix Applied:
Verify NuttX version is 12.9.0+ and XMLRPC example buffers use CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE+1 size📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- XMLRPC request failures
- Memory access violation logs
- System crashes after XMLRPC requests
Network Indicators:
- Unusual XMLRPC traffic patterns
- Large XMLRPC parameter payloads
SIEM Query:
source="*nuttx*" AND (event="segmentation_fault" OR event="memory_violation") AND process="*xmlrpc*"