CVE-2025-2588 in Augeas
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2025
A vulnerability has been found in Hercules Augeas 1.14.1 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function re_case_expand of the file src/fa.c. The manipulation of the argument re leads to null pointer dereference. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2588 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Hercules Augeas configuration management library version 1.14.1. This flaw exists in the re_case_expand function located within the src/fa.c source file, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on Augeas for configuration file parsing and manipulation. The vulnerability is classified as problematic due to its potential to cause system instability and unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the re argument parameter within the re_case_expand function, which triggers a null pointer dereference condition. When the function processes malformed input through the re parameter, it attempts to access a null pointer, leading to a program crash or potential memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions that can be exploited to cause denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code. The requirement for local attack access indicates that an attacker must already have system-level privileges or access to the target environment, but the public disclosure of the exploit significantly increases the risk to systems that are not properly patched or secured.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can compromise the integrity of configuration management processes that depend on Augeas for parsing and modifying system configuration files. When exploited, the null pointer dereference can cause the application to crash, potentially leading to service disruption and making it difficult for administrators to manage system configurations through the affected library. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely heavily on configuration management tools, such as those using Puppet, Chef, or other infrastructure automation platforms that may depend on Augeas for parsing configuration files. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used configuration management library means that the impact could be extensive across enterprise environments where system configuration integrity is paramount.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-2588 should prioritize immediate patching of the Hercules Augeas library to version 1.14.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the null pointer dereference issue. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including restricting local access to systems running Augeas, monitoring for suspicious activity around configuration file access, and ensuring proper input validation for any applications that may interact with the library. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the privilege escalation and denial of service categories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially vulnerable binaries and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar issues in other system components. The public disclosure of the exploit underscores the importance of timely patch management and proactive security monitoring to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities in production environments.