CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-7545NVD status: Modified

Binutils: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

CVE-2025-7545 is a high-severity improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer vulnerability in Binutils from GNU, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Binutils versions: 2.45. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem to V1.1.1 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
GNUBinutils2.45Not stated
SiemensSIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFPV3.1.5 and laterNot stated
SiemensSIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFPV3.1.5 and laterNot stated
SiemensSIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystembefore V1.1.1V1.1.1
SiemensSIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFPV3.1.5 and laterNot stated

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
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.01.9LowCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.15.3MediumCNA (vuldb.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD
CVSS 2.04.3MediumCNA (vuldb.com)

Official description

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in GNU Binutils 2.45. Affected by this vulnerability is the function copy_section of the file binutils/objcopy.c. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The patch is named 08c3cbe5926e4d355b5cb70bbec2b1eeb40c2944. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, many languages that perform their own memory management, such as Java and Perl, are not subject to buffer overflows. Other languages, such as Ada and C#, typically provide overflow protection, but the protection can be disabled by the programmer. Be wary that a language's interface to native code may still be subject to overflows, even if the language itself is theoretically safe.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Examples include the Safe C String Library (SafeStr) by Messier and Viega, and the Strsafe.h library from Microsoft. These libraries provide safer versions of overflow-prone string-handling functions.
  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.

More Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerabilities (CWE-119)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Binutils

All Binutils vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerabilities

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