CVE-2025-45333 in abc
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2025
berkeley-abc abc 1.1 contains a Null Pointer Dereference (NPD) vulnerability in the Abc_NtkCecFraigPart function of its data processing module, leading to unpredictable program behavior, causing segmentation faults, and program crashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-45333 resides within the berkeley-abc abc 1.1 software suite, specifically targeting the Abc_NtkCecFraigPart function within its data processing module. This null pointer dereference flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited to cause system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests when the function attempts to access memory through a null pointer reference, creating an unpredictable program behavior that can result in segmentation faults and complete program crashes. Such issues are particularly concerning in security-critical applications where system reliability and stability are paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which categorizes null pointer dereference as a common weakness in software design. This flaw occurs during the execution of the Abc_NtkCecFraigPart function, which is responsible for processing and manipulating data structures within the abc framework. When the function encounters a null pointer that it attempts to dereference, the program execution terminates abruptly with a segmentation fault, effectively crashing the application. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk when the input data can be controlled by an attacker, as it can be leveraged to disrupt service availability and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-45333 extends beyond simple program crashes, as it can be exploited to cause broader system instability within environments that rely on berkeley-abc for critical data processing tasks. The vulnerability affects the data processing module's ability to handle malformed or unexpected input data, which can lead to cascading failures in systems where abc is integrated as a component. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where continuous operation is required, as the segmentation faults can result in service interruptions that may have significant business or operational consequences. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, as the crashes can be leveraged to disrupt normal operations and cause availability issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the berkeley-abc abc 1.1 software to address the null pointer dereference issue within the Abc_NtkCecFraigPart function. Organizations should implement input validation controls to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable function, while also establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application sandboxing or containerization techniques to limit the potential impact of any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of thorough code review processes, particularly for functions that handle complex data structures and pointer operations, as such flaws can have significant security implications when present in widely-used software frameworks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related software components that may be susceptible to similar null pointer dereference attacks.