CVE-2025-1786 in rizin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2025
A vulnerability was found in rizinorg rizin up to 0.7.4. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function msf_stream_directory_free in the library /librz/bin/pdb/pdb.c. The manipulation of the argument -P leads to buffer overflow. Local access is required to approach this attack. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 0.8.0 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-1786 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the rizin binary analysis framework version 0.7.4 and earlier. This flaw exists within the msf_stream_directory_free function located in the PDB parsing library at /librz/bin/pdb/pdb.c, making it a significant security concern for users who process potentially malicious Portable Database files. The vulnerability specifically arises from improper handling of the -P argument, which triggers a buffer overflow during memory deallocation operations. The attack requires local access to execute successfully, meaning an attacker must already have system-level privileges or physical access to the target machine. This constraint does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as it can be exploited by malicious actors with existing system access to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code. The public disclosure of exploit details increases the risk to systems running vulnerable versions of rizin, particularly in environments where binary analysis tools are frequently used to process untrusted files. The buffer overflow occurs when the msf_stream_directory_free function processes the -P parameter, leading to memory corruption that can potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code through command-line interfaces. The function msf_stream_directory_free operates within the context of PDB (Program Database) file parsing, which is a common format used by Microsoft Visual Studio for storing debugging information. When processing malformed PDB files, the buffer overflow occurs during the cleanup phase of memory management, specifically when the -P argument is improperly handled. The vulnerability affects the memory management subsystem of rizin, particularly in how it handles stream directory structures within PDB files. The local access requirement means that attackers cannot exploit this vulnerability remotely, but they can leverage it in scenarios where they already have access to the system, such as through compromised user accounts, local network access, or physical access to the machine.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-1786 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the buffer overflow can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the rizin process. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where rizin is used to analyze potentially malicious files, such as in malware analysis, security research, or forensic investigations. The vulnerability is especially concerning for security professionals who rely on rizin for binary analysis, as it creates a potential attack vector that could be exploited during routine analysis tasks. Systems that process untrusted binary files, particularly those involving Windows executables with PDB debugging information, are at risk. The exploitability of this vulnerability increases significantly when rizin is used in automated analysis pipelines or when security researchers process files from unknown or untrusted sources. Organizations that use rizin as part of their security toolchain, including penetration testing frameworks, malware analysis labs, or security operations centers, face elevated risk levels. The local execution requirement means that the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including compromised user accounts, insider threats, or privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access to the system.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to rizin version 0.8.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. This upgrade process should be prioritized for all systems running vulnerable versions of rizin, particularly those used in security-sensitive environments. Organizations should implement a comprehensive patch management strategy that includes testing the updated version in controlled environments before deployment to production systems. Additional mitigations include restricting local access to systems running rizin, implementing proper file validation procedures before processing binary files, and monitoring for suspicious usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a successful local exploit, and should ensure that rizin is not run with elevated privileges when possible. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in security tools, as the flaw demonstrates how improper handling of user-provided arguments can lead to critical security issues. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unusual memory access patterns or potential exploitation attempts during binary analysis operations. Regular security assessments of binary analysis tools and their usage patterns should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure that security controls remain effective against evolving threats.