CVE-2025-48510 in μProf
Summary
by MITRE • 11/24/2025
Improper return value within AMD uProf can allow a local attacker to bypass KSLR, potentially resulting in loss of confidentiality or availability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48510 represents a critical flaw in AMD uProf, a component designed to provide profiling capabilities for AMD processors. This issue manifests as an improper return value handling within the kernel-level security mechanisms that govern processor profiling operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the KSLR (Kernel Stack Layout Randomization) protection mechanism, which is essential for maintaining system security by randomizing kernel stack layouts to prevent exploitation techniques such as stack-based buffer overflows and return-oriented programming attacks. The flaw allows local attackers to manipulate return values during uProf operations, effectively undermining the security guarantees provided by KSLR. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of kernel security and hardware profiling, making it particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate profiling functionality to bypass fundamental security protections. The issue stems from inadequate validation of return codes from kernel functions that are responsible for maintaining stack layout randomization, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and potential information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the interaction between uProf's kernel modules and the KSLR subsystem through improper error handling mechanisms. When uProf performs profiling operations, it relies on specific kernel functions that should return consistent values to maintain security state integrity. However, the flawed implementation allows attackers to manipulate these return values through carefully crafted profiling requests or by exploiting timing conditions during kernel operations. This improper return value handling creates a condition where the system's security state can be artificially altered, effectively disabling or bypassing the KSLR protections that are supposed to prevent attackers from predicting kernel memory layouts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within kernel space, where successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw aligns with CWE-252, which addresses "Unchecked Return Values" in security contexts, and represents a specific instance where improper return value handling undermines security controls. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the principle that legitimate system functionality can be weaponized when proper error handling and validation mechanisms are absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-48510 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data loss. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain the ability to predict kernel memory layouts, which enables sophisticated attacks such as kernel exploitation, information disclosure, and denial of service conditions. The bypass of KSLR protection means that attackers can more easily perform return-oriented programming attacks, kernel code injection, and other advanced exploitation techniques that rely on predictable memory layouts. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where AMD processors are used in server or enterprise systems, as local access often translates to broader system compromise opportunities. The impact is compounded by the fact that uProf is typically enabled in production systems for performance monitoring, making the vulnerability accessible through normal system operations. Organizations may experience loss of confidentiality as attackers can potentially access kernel memory regions that should remain protected, while availability can be compromised through denial of service attacks that exploit the underlying kernel instability caused by the improper return value handling. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper kernel security validation and the potential for seemingly benign profiling functionality to become a security vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48510 must address both immediate system protection and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary recommendation involves applying vendor-provided patches that correct the improper return value handling in uProf's kernel modules, ensuring that all return codes are properly validated and that security state transitions are properly enforced. Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and monitor for unauthorized uProf usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider disabling uProf functionality when it is not actively required for performance monitoring, as this reduces the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous return value patterns in kernel operations, particularly those related to stack layout management. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive kernel security testing that includes validation of return value handling across all security-critical subsystems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should implement robust security awareness training for system administrators to recognize the potential security implications of profiling tools and maintain up-to-date knowledge of kernel security vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive system auditing to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred before patching, as the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly suited for stealthy exploitation techniques that could persist undetected for extended periods.