CVE-2025-55118 Overview
CVE-2025-55118 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting BMC Control-M/Agent that can be remotely triggered when specific SSL/TLS communication settings are configured. This memory corruption flaw (CWE-122) occurs under non-default SSL/TLS configuration scenarios, potentially allowing remote attackers to compromise system integrity and availability.
The vulnerability manifests in the following configurations:
- Control-M/Agent 9.0.20: When SSL/TLS configuration is set to the non-default setting use_openssl=n
- Control-M/Agent 9.0.21 and 9.0.22: When Agent router configuration uses the non-default settings JAVA_AR=N and use_openssl=n
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger memory corruption in Control-M/Agent deployments with specific SSL/TLS configurations, potentially leading to denial of service or arbitrary code execution on affected enterprise automation systems.
Affected Products
- BMC Control-M/Agent 9.0.20 (with use_openssl=n configuration)
- BMC Control-M/Agent 9.0.21 (with JAVA_AR=N and use_openssl=n configuration)
- BMC Control-M/Agent 9.0.22 (with JAVA_AR=N and use_openssl=n configuration)
Discovery Timeline
- September 16, 2025 - CVE-2025-55118 published to NVD
- April 15, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-55118
Vulnerability Analysis
This heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-122) exists in the Control-M/Agent's handling of SSL/TLS communications when certain non-default configurations are applied. The flaw can be triggered remotely over a network connection, though successful exploitation requires specific pre-conditions to be met, including the presence of particular configuration settings.
The vulnerability affects the agent component responsible for secure communication handling. When the proprietary SSL implementation is used instead of OpenSSL (configured via use_openssl=n), the software fails to properly validate buffer boundaries during SSL/TLS data processing, leading to potential heap memory corruption.
Root Cause
The root cause is a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122) in the Control-M/Agent's internal SSL/TLS handling routines. When the agent is configured to use its native SSL implementation rather than OpenSSL, insufficient bounds checking allows memory operations to write beyond allocated heap buffer boundaries. This occurs specifically when processing SSL/TLS communication data, indicating improper memory management in the non-OpenSSL code path.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to trigger the vulnerability without authentication. However, exploitation complexity is considered high due to the following requirements:
- The target Control-M/Agent must be configured with non-default SSL/TLS settings
- For version 9.0.20, the use_openssl=n setting must be active
- For versions 9.0.21 and 9.0.22, both JAVA_AR=N and use_openssl=n must be configured
- The attacker must have network access to the Control-M/Agent service
An attacker could craft malicious SSL/TLS communication data designed to overflow heap buffers, potentially leading to denial of service through application crashes, or in more sophisticated scenarios, arbitrary code execution by corrupting heap management structures.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-55118
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or restarts of the Control-M/Agent service
- Abnormal memory consumption patterns in Control-M/Agent processes
- Suspicious network connections to Control-M/Agent ports from unknown sources
- Core dumps or crash logs indicating heap corruption or segmentation faults
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Control-M/Agent processes for unexpected termination or memory corruption signals
- Implement network-level monitoring for anomalous SSL/TLS traffic patterns to Control-M/Agent endpoints
- Review Control-M/Agent configuration files to identify deployments using vulnerable use_openssl=n settings
- Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify heap overflow exploitation attempts targeting Control-M/Agent
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for Control-M/Agent SSL/TLS communication events
- Configure SIEM alerts for Control-M/Agent service crashes or unexpected restarts
- Implement network traffic analysis for connections to Control-M/Agent services
- Monitor system logs for memory-related errors associated with Control-M/Agent processes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-55118
Immediate Actions Required
- Review Control-M/Agent configurations across all deployments to identify vulnerable settings
- Change use_openssl=n to use_openssl=y to use OpenSSL for SSL/TLS communication
- For versions 9.0.21 and 9.0.22, ensure JAVA_AR=Y or use_openssl=y is configured
- Apply security patches from BMC as referenced in the vendor knowledge articles
- Restrict network access to Control-M/Agent services to trusted systems only
Patch Information
BMC has published security guidance for this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the following vendor resources for detailed remediation steps:
Contact BMC Support for specific patch information and apply all available security updates for Control-M/Agent versions 9.0.20, 9.0.21, and 9.0.22.
Workarounds
- Enable OpenSSL for SSL/TLS communication by setting use_openssl=y in agent configuration
- For Control-M/Agent 9.0.21 and 9.0.22, ensure the Agent router uses Java-based communication (JAVA_AR=Y)
- Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of Control-M/Agent services
- Deploy firewall rules to restrict access to Control-M/Agent ports from untrusted networks
- Monitor and audit all connections to Control-M/Agent endpoints until patches can be applied
# Configuration example - Secure Control-M/Agent SSL/TLS settings
# Edit the agent configuration file and ensure the following settings:
# For Control-M/Agent 9.0.20, 9.0.21, and 9.0.22:
use_openssl=y
# For Control-M/Agent 9.0.21 and 9.0.22 (Agent Router settings):
JAVA_AR=Y
# After configuration changes, restart the Control-M/Agent service
# Verify the configuration is applied correctly via agent diagnostics
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
