CVE-2025-4598: Systemd Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2025-4598 Overview

A vulnerability was found in systemd-coredump. This flaw allows an attacker to force a SUID process to crash and replace it with a non-SUID binary to access the original's privileged process coredump. This permits the attacker to read sensitive data, such as /etc/shadow content, loaded by the original process.

Critical Impact
Attackers can gain read access to sensitive system files by exploiting the process coredump.

Affected Products

systemd_project systemd
redhat openshift_container_platform
redhat enterprise_linux

Discovery Timeline

Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
Not Available - Responsible disclosure to systemd_project
Not Available - CVE CVE-2025-4598 assigned
Not Available - systemd_project releases security patch
2025-05-30 - CVE CVE-2025-4598 published to NVD
2025-11-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-4598

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability involves a race condition that allows an attacker to replace a SUID process with a non-SUID binary, manipulating the Linux kernel to recycle the process PID quickly enough for systemd-coredump to erroneously analyze the wrong process information.

Root Cause

The flaw is due to inadequate handling of PID recycling and delayed analysis in systemd-coredump, which fails to ensure the pedigree of the original SUID process.

Attack Vector

Local

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <unistd.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main() {
    pid_t pid = fork();
    if (pid == 0) {
        // Simulate SUID process crash
        abort();
    } else {
        // Attempt rapid replacement
        execl("/path/to/non-suid-binary", "non-suid-binary", NULL);
    }
    return 0;
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-4598

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected SUID process crashes
Misconfigured or unauthorized binaries in core dump directory
Unusual access to sensitive files like /etc/shadow

Detection Strategies

Monitor processes for abnormal termination, especially those with SUID permissions, and track access to core dump directories for unauthorized binaries.

Monitoring Recommendations

Regularly audit logs for process crashes and suspicious binary executions. Configure file integrity monitoring on sensitive binaries and directories.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-4598

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to core dump files
Ensure logging is enabled for SUID process executions
Immediately update to patched versions once available

Patch Information

Check with systemd_project for the latest patches addressing this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Isolate processes with SUID permissions and consider disabling systemd-coredump if not required.

bash

# Configuration example
echo "kernel.core_pattern=|/bin/false" > /etc/sysctl.d/99-disable-coredump.conf
sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/99-disable-coredump.conf