CVE-2025-1365: Elfutils Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-1365 Overview

CVE-2025-1365 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in GNU elfutils version 0.192. The flaw resides in the process_symtab function within readelf.c, part of the eu-readelf component. An attacker with local access can trigger the overflow by manipulating the D/a argument passed to the utility. The issue has been publicly disclosed and a patch is available upstream. The vulnerability is tracked under Common Weakness Enumeration classifications [CWE-119] and [CWE-120], covering improper restriction of operations within memory buffer boundaries and classic buffer copy without size checks.

Critical Impact
Local attackers can trigger memory corruption in eu-readelf by supplying crafted input to the D/a argument, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the process.

Affected Products

GNU elfutils 0.192
eu-readelf utility (readelf.c)
Distributions bundling elfutils 0.192

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-17 - CVE-2025-1365 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-1365

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a buffer overflow in the process_symtab function inside readelf.c, the source file that implements the eu-readelf symbol table processing logic. When a user invokes eu-readelf with the -D or -a argument against a crafted ELF file, unchecked handling of symbol table data allows writes beyond an allocated buffer. This is a memory corruption defect classified under [CWE-119] and [CWE-120].

Because elfutils is widely used across Linux distributions for ELF inspection, packaging pipelines, and debugging workflows, the affected binary frequently runs during automated build and analysis processes. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) currently reports low near-term exploitation likelihood, but public disclosure of the technique lowers the bar for opportunistic abuse.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing bounds validation in process_symtab when handling symbol table entries derived from user-supplied ELF inputs. Standard sanity checks on section sizes and entry counts are insufficient, allowing memory writes past the destination buffer. The upstream fix is committed as 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access. An attacker delivers a malicious ELF file and induces a user, script, or automated pipeline to run eu-readelf with the -D or -a option against the file. Successful triggering corrupts process memory in the context of the user running the utility. Because the attack requires local access and low privileges, remote exploitation is not part of the documented attack surface.

No verified exploit code has been published. Technical detail is available in the Sourceware Bugzilla Report and the associated Sourceware Bugzilla Comment.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1365

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or SIGSEGV signals from eu-readelf processes in build, packaging, or malware-analysis pipelines.
Core dumps produced by eu-readelf when invoked with -D or -a against untrusted ELF inputs.
Presence of elfutils 0.192 binaries on hosts based on package inventory queries.

Detection Strategies

Inventory hosts running elfutils 0.192 using package managers such as rpm -q elfutils or dpkg -l elfutils.
Monitor process execution telemetry for eu-readelf invocations that terminate abnormally, especially in automated pipelines.
Correlate ELF file ingestion events with subsequent eu-readelf crashes in centralized logging.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on repeated abnormal exits of ELF analysis utilities operating on user-supplied files.
Track command-line arguments passed to eu-readelf, focusing on -D and -a combined with paths outside trusted directories.
Review CI/CD, packaging, and sandbox systems that parse untrusted binaries with elfutils.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1365

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade elfutils to a version that includes commit 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81.
Restrict execution of eu-readelf against untrusted ELF files, particularly in automated pipelines.
Isolate ELF analysis workflows in sandboxed or containerized environments with minimal privileges.

Patch Information

The upstream patch is identified by commit 5e5c0394d82c53e97750fe7b18023e6f84157b81. Details and the fix are tracked in the Sourceware Bugzilla Report and the Sourceware Bugzilla Attachment. Additional metadata is available at VulDB #295977. Distribution maintainers should apply the patch and rebuild affected packages.

Workarounds

Avoid running eu-readelf with -D or -a on untrusted ELF inputs until the patch is applied.
Wrap eu-readelf invocations in resource-limited sandboxes such as firejail or seccomp-restricted containers.
Route untrusted binary triage through non-privileged accounts with no access to sensitive data.

bash

# Verify installed elfutils version and inspect eu-readelf
eu-readelf --version

# Debian/Ubuntu: check package version
dpkg -l elfutils

# RHEL/Fedora: check package version
rpm -q elfutils

# After upgrading, confirm the patch commit is present in your distribution changelog