CVE-2025-46398 Overview
CVE-2025-46398 is a stack-based buffer overflow [CWE-121] in the fig2dev utility, part of the xfig diagramming toolkit. The flaw resides in the read_objects function, which parses FIG-format input files. A local attacker supplying a crafted .fig file can trigger memory corruption on the stack during conversion. The vulnerability affects fig2dev version 3.2.9a and is tracked by Red Hat across Enterprise Linux 6, 7, and 8. Debian LTS has also issued an advisory for affected packages. Exploitation requires local access and produces an integrity impact without exposing confidentiality or crashing availability under the published scoring.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can corrupt stack memory in fig2dev by feeding a malicious FIG file to read_objects, potentially altering process execution integrity.
Affected Products
- fig2dev 3.2.9a (fig2dev_project)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 7, 8 (transfig/fig2dev packages)
- Debian LTS distributions shipping fig2dev
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-23 - CVE-2025-46398 published to NVD
- 2026-06-30 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-46398
Vulnerability Analysis
The fig2dev program converts FIG diagram files into other graphics formats such as PostScript, PDF, and LaTeX. During parsing, the read_objects function iterates over object definitions declared in the FIG input file. When object fields exceed expected bounds, the function writes past the end of a fixed-size stack buffer. The resulting stack corruption can overwrite adjacent local variables, saved frame pointers, or the return address on the call stack.
Because fig2dev runs with the privileges of the invoking user, exploitation is scoped to local input manipulation. The CWE-121 classification indicates a classic stack-based buffer overflow rather than a heap or format-string issue. The EPSS probability remains low, reflecting the local attack surface and the absence of public exploit code.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds checking inside read_objects when copying parsed object data from a FIG file into a stack-allocated buffer. The parser trusts length or count fields from attacker-controlled input without validating them against the destination buffer size.
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a malicious .fig file to a target user or automated pipeline that invokes fig2dev. When the utility parses the file, read_objects overflows the stack buffer. Automated document-conversion workflows that accept untrusted FIG input are the most realistic exposure path.
No verified public proof-of-concept code has been published. Refer to the Red Hat Bug Report #2362055 and SourceForge Ticket #191 for upstream technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46398
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or SIGSEGV termination of fig2dev processes during document conversion.
- Presence of untrusted .fig files in directories consumed by automated conversion pipelines.
- Core dumps generated by fig2dev containing corrupted stack frames near read_objects.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process telemetry for abnormal exits of fig2dev and related transfig tooling.
- Audit package inventories for vulnerable fig2dev 3.2.9a builds on Linux endpoints and build servers.
- Inspect FIG files sourced from external users for oversized object headers or malformed geometry records prior to conversion.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Log all invocations of fig2dev along with input file paths and invoking users for forensic review.
- Alert on fig2dev execution originating from web-facing document processing services or shared build agents.
- Track vendor advisories from Red Hat and Debian LTS for patched package versions.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46398
Immediate Actions Required
- Update fig2dev and the transfig package to the patched version distributed by your Linux vendor.
- Restrict fig2dev execution to trusted users and disable automated conversion of externally sourced FIG files until patched.
- Sandbox document conversion workflows using seccomp, AppArmor, or SELinux profiles to contain memory corruption impact.
Patch Information
Red Hat has published tracking and remediation guidance under the Red Hat CVE-2025-46398 advisory. Debian LTS users should apply the fixed packages from the Debian LTS Security Announcement. Upstream fixes are tracked in SourceForge Ticket #191.
Workarounds
- Reject FIG files from untrusted sources at ingestion boundaries in document pipelines.
- Run fig2dev inside an unprivileged container or chroot with no network access and read-only file systems.
- Enable compiler-based mitigations such as stack canaries, ASLR, and FORTIFY_SOURCE on systems that rebuild fig2dev from source.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
