CVE-2025-47869 in NuttX RTOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2025
Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerability was discovered in Apache NuttX RTOS apps/exapmles/xmlrpc application. In this example application device stats structure that stored remotely provided parameters had hardcoded buffer size which could lead to buffer overflow. Structure members buffers were updated to valid size of CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE+1.
This issue affects Apache NuttX RTOS users that may have used or base their code on example application as presented in releases from 6.22 before 12.9.0.
Users of XMLRPC in Apache NuttX RTOS are advised to review their code for this pattern and update buffer sizes as presented in the version of the example in release 12.9.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-47869 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Apache NuttX RTOS xmlrpc example application that stems from improper memory bounds restriction. This flaw exists in the apps/examples/xmlrpc component where device statistics structures store remotely provided parameters with hardcoded buffer sizes that are insufficient for handling actual data inputs. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes XMLRPC requests containing parameter data that exceeds the predetermined buffer limits, creating potential for memory corruption and system instability. The affected implementation utilizes a fixed-size buffer that does not dynamically adjust to accommodate varying parameter sizes, making it susceptible to exploitation through carefully crafted malicious inputs that exceed the predefined boundaries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and specifically manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition. The flaw occurs because the device stats structure in the xmlrpc example application employs a hardcoded buffer size that fails to account for the actual size requirements of remotely provided data. When parameter values exceed the predefined CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE limit, the application attempts to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations and corrupting program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it can enable attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code through controlled buffer overflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-47869 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system compromise within embedded environments where NuttX RTOS is deployed. Systems utilizing the affected xmlrpc example application become vulnerable to denial of service conditions, data corruption, and potential remote code execution depending on the execution context and memory layout. The vulnerability affects all users of Apache NuttX RTOS who have based their implementations on the example application from releases 6.22 through 12.8.0, making it particularly concerning for embedded systems where security updates may be difficult to deploy. The buffer overflow could lead to unpredictable system behavior, application crashes, or more severe consequences when exploited in environments with memory protection mechanisms that may be bypassed through careful exploitation techniques.
Organizations and developers using Apache NuttX RTOS with XMLRPC functionality should immediately review their code implementations for similar buffer sizing patterns and implement the recommended fix by updating buffer sizes to CONFIG_XMLRPC_STRINGSIZE+1 as demonstrated in the 12.9.0 release example. The mitigation strategy involves ensuring that all structures handling remotely provided data include sufficient buffer space to accommodate maximum expected parameter sizes while maintaining proper bounds checking. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and input validation measures to detect anomalous parameter sizes that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. The fix addresses the core issue by ensuring that buffer allocations properly account for the actual data requirements rather than relying on potentially inadequate hardcoded values, thereby preventing the memory corruption that could lead to system compromise.