CVE-2025-2720 in libgsf
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2025
A vulnerability was found in GNOME libgsf up to 1.14.53 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function gsf_base64_encode_simple. The manipulation of the argument size leads to use of uninitialized variable. The attack needs to be approached locally. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2026
The vulnerability in GNOME libgsf represents a critical security flaw affecting versions up to 1.14.53 that resides within the gsf_base64_encode_simple function. This issue manifests as a use of uninitialized variable condition when the argument size parameter is manipulated, creating potential security risks for systems utilizing this library. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic due to its potential to compromise system integrity and data confidentiality. Security researchers have identified this weakness through careful analysis of the library's internal operations and code execution patterns.
The technical flaw occurs within the base64 encoding functionality where improper handling of the size argument parameter results in uninitialized memory being accessed during the encoding process. This particular function serves as a fundamental component in GNOME's file format handling capabilities, making it a prime target for exploitation. The uninitialized variable access creates unpredictable behavior that could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability operates at the core level of data processing within the library, affecting how binary data is encoded and transmitted through various GNOME applications.
This vulnerability requires local attack conditions to be exploited successfully, meaning an attacker must already have access to the target system to manipulate the affected function parameters. The local privilege requirement limits the scope of potential exploitation but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as compromised local accounts or services could still present opportunities for exploitation. The attack vector involves carefully crafted inputs that trigger the specific code path where uninitialized variables are accessed, potentially leading to information disclosure or denial of service conditions.
The impact of this vulnerability extends across all GNOME applications that depend on libgsf for file format processing and data encoding operations. Systems utilizing older versions of the library face potential risks when processing user-supplied data or when handling various document formats that rely on base64 encoding functionality. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts raises concerns about the security posture of this particular library component and suggests potential gaps in the software supply chain. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command execution or T1068 for privilege escalation if exploited effectively.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate version updates to libgsf 1.14.54 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the uninitialized variable issue. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and monitoring for any unusual behavior following updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls that prevent malformed size parameters from reaching the vulnerable function, as well as restricting local access privileges to minimize potential attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts against this specific vulnerability.