Apache Thrift: Mismatched Memory Management Routines
CVE-2025-48431 is a high-severity mismatched memory management routines vulnerability in Apache Thrift from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 0.23.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache Thrift to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.04% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 64% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Apache Thrift to 0.23.0 or a later version.
- Update Thrift to 0.23.0 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA |
Official description
Mismatched Memory Management Routines vulnerability in Apache Thrift c_glib language bindings. This issue affects Apache Thrift: before 0.23.0. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 0.23.0, which fixes the issue. Description: Specially crafted requests can crash an c_glib-based Thrift server with a clean but fatal "free(): invalid pointer" error message.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Mismatched Memory Management Routines
The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system, but it calls a release function that is not compatible with the function that was originally used to allocate that resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Only call matching memory management functions. Do not mix and match routines. For example, when you allocate a buffer with malloc(), dispose of the original pointer with free().
- Choose a language or tool that provides automatic memory management, or makes manual memory management less error-prone. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers. When using Xcode to target OS X or iOS, enable automatic reference counting (ARC). To help correctly and consistently manage memory when programming in C++, consider using a smart pointer class such as std
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers.
More Mismatched Memory Management Routines vulnerabilities (CWE-762)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- lists.apache.org/thread/lb4j0zyd5f3g36cos0wql925przpnwqlMailing List, Release Notes
Other references
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/28/8Mailing List
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:24539
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25273
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:27126
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:28010
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:36882
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-48431
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2463410
- security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2025/cve-2025-48431.json
Other vulnerabilities in Apache Thrift
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Mismatched Memory Management Routines vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.