CVE-2025-68114
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Capstone disassembly framework allows attackers to trigger stack buffer underflow or overflow by manipulating the vsnprintf return value through a malicious cs_opt_mem.vsnprintf callback. This could lead to memory corruption and potential code execution. Users of Capstone 6.0.0-Alpha5 and earlier versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Capstone disassembly framework
📦 What is this software?
Capstone by Capstone Engine
Capstone by Capstone Engine
Capstone by Capstone Engine
Capstone by Capstone Engine
Capstone by Capstone Engine
Capstone by Capstone Engine
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise if the vulnerable component processes untrusted input in a network-facing service.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited memory corruption when processing maliciously crafted disassembly input.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vulnerable component doesn't process untrusted input or if proper input validation is implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires control over the cs_opt_mem.vsnprintf callback, which may require compromising the application using Capstone first.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after commit 2c7797182a1618be12017d7d41e0b6581d5d529e
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/capstone-engine/capstone/security/advisories/GHSA-85f5-6xr3-q76r
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Capstone to a version containing commit 2c7797182a1618be12017d7d41e0b6581d5d529e
2. Rebuild any applications that link against Capstone
3. No service restart needed for library updates
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input validation
allValidate all input passed to Capstone disassembly functions to prevent malicious callback manipulation
Sandbox Capstone usage
allRun Capstone in isolated environments when processing untrusted input
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for all data passed to Capstone functions
- Isolate Capstone usage to non-privileged processes and containers
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Capstone version: if using 6.0.0-Alpha5 or earlier, you are vulnerableCheck Version:
Check Capstone version in your application or run: cs_version() if using Capstone APIVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the commit 2c7797182a1618be12017d7d41e0b6581d5d529e is present in your Capstone source or check version is newer than 6.0.0-Alpha5📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes when processing disassembly
- Memory corruption errors in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual disassembly requests to services using Capstone
SIEM Query:
Process crashes with memory corruption errors AND process uses Capstone library