CVE-2025-47868
CVE-2025-47868
CVSS Vector
v3.1- Attack Vector
- Network
- Attack Complexity
- Low
- Privileges Required
- None
- User Interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Description
Out-of-bounds Write resulting in possible Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability was discovered in tools/bdf-converter font conversion utility that is part of Apache NuttX RTOS repository. This standalone program is optional and neither part of NuttX RTOS nor Applications runtime, but active bdf-converter users may be affected when this tool is exposed to external provided user data data (i.e. publicly available automation). This issue affects Apache NuttX: from 6.9 before 12.9.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 12.9.0, which fixes the issue.
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of CVE-2025-47868
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
CVE ID: CVE-2025-47868
Description: The vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds write resulting in a possible heap-based buffer overflow in the tools/bdf-converter font conversion utility, which is part of the Apache NuttX RTOS repository. This vulnerability is critical because it can lead to arbitrary code execution, memory corruption, or application crashes.
CVSS Score: 9.8
Severity Evaluation:
- Confidentiality Impact: High
- Integrity Impact: High
- Availability Impact: High
- Exploitability: High
- Remediation Level: Official-Fix
- Report Confidence: Confirmed
The high CVSS score of 9.8 indicates that this vulnerability is extremely severe and poses a significant risk to affected systems.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- External Data Injection: The vulnerability can be exploited by providing maliciously crafted input data to the
bdf-convertertool. This is particularly concerning if the tool is exposed to publicly available automation or user-provided data. - Automated Scripts: Attackers could use automated scripts to generate and submit malicious input data to exploit the vulnerability.
Exploitation Methods:
- Heap-based Buffer Overflow: By crafting input data that exceeds the allocated buffer size, an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory, leading to code execution or memory corruption.
- Remote Code Execution: If the
bdf-convertertool is integrated into a system that processes external data, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- Apache NuttX RTOS versions from 6.9 to 12.9.0 (excluding 12.9.0).
Affected Systems:
- Systems running the vulnerable versions of Apache NuttX RTOS.
- Systems that utilize the
bdf-convertertool, especially if it processes external data.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Upgrade: Users are strongly recommended to upgrade to Apache NuttX RTOS version 12.9.0, which includes the fix for this vulnerability.
- Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for any data processed by the
bdf-convertertool. - Access Control: Restrict access to the
bdf-convertertool to trusted users and systems only.
Long-term Strategies:
- Regular Updates: Ensure that all software components are regularly updated to the latest versions.
- Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring: Implement monitoring and logging to detect and respond to any suspicious activities related to the
bdf-convertertool.
5. Impact on Cybersecurity Landscape
Immediate Impact:
- High Risk: The high CVSS score and the potential for remote code execution make this vulnerability a high-risk issue for organizations using the affected versions of Apache NuttX RTOS.
- Wide Scope: Given the widespread use of RTOS in embedded systems, the impact could be significant across various industries, including IoT, automotive, and industrial control systems.
Long-term Impact:
- Increased Awareness: This vulnerability highlights the importance of securing embedded systems and the need for robust input validation and memory management practices.
- Best Practices: The incident serves as a reminder for developers to adhere to best practices in secure coding and to regularly update and patch their systems.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Type: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
- Cause: Out-of-bounds write in the
bdf-convertertool when processing external data. - Impact: Arbitrary code execution, memory corruption, application crashes.
Exploitation Steps:
- Identify Target: Identify systems running vulnerable versions of Apache NuttX RTOS and using the
bdf-convertertool. - Craft Malicious Input: Create input data that exceeds the allocated buffer size.
- Submit Data: Submit the malicious input to the
bdf-convertertool, either manually or through automated scripts. - Exploit: Overwrite adjacent memory to execute arbitrary code or cause memory corruption.
Detection and Response:
- Detection: Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for unusual activity related to the
bdf-convertertool. - Response: Have an incident response plan in place to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.
References:
By following these recommendations and understanding the technical details, cybersecurity professionals can effectively mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-47868 and enhance the overall security posture of their systems.