CVE-2025-49488 in Falcon_Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2025
Improper Resource Shutdown or Release vulnerability in ASR180x 、ASR190x in router
components
allows Resource Leak Exposure. This vulnerability is associated with program files router/phonebook/pb.c.
This issue affects Falcon_Linux、Kestrel、Lapwing_Linux: before v1536.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2025
The CVE-2025-49488 vulnerability represents a critical improper resource shutdown or release flaw within the ASR180x and ASR190x router components, specifically impacting the router/phonebook/pb.c program file. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-404 category of Improper Resource Shutdown or Release, which is classified as a resource management weakness in software systems. The vulnerability manifests as a resource leak exposure that can lead to significant operational degradation and potential system instability. The affected router models operate within the Falcon_Linux, Kestrel, and Lapwing_Linux operating systems, with versions prior to v1536 being particularly susceptible to this issue.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate resource management within the phonebook component of the router's software stack. When the pb.c program file processes phonebook entries or handles related operations, it fails to properly release allocated resources such as memory buffers, file handles, or network connections. This improper resource handling creates a cumulative leak effect where each operation that should clean up resources instead leaves them allocated, gradually consuming system resources over time. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within router firmware, where resource exhaustion can directly impact network connectivity and device functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-49488 extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially compromise network infrastructure reliability. As resource leaks accumulate, affected routers may experience memory exhaustion, leading to system crashes, service interruptions, or complete device unresponsiveness. Network administrators monitoring affected systems may observe gradual performance decline, increased memory usage, and potential routing table instability. The vulnerability's presence in phonebook functionality suggests that any interaction with phonebook entries, whether through web interfaces, command line operations, or automated scripts, could trigger resource leakage. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where routers handle extensive contact information and network management tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-49488 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions v1536 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the improper resource shutdown issue. System administrators should implement monitoring protocols to track memory usage and resource consumption patterns on affected routers, enabling early detection of potential resource leak progression. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 (Resource Hijacking) indicates that it could be exploited by adversaries to consume system resources and potentially disrupt network operations. Additional protective measures include implementing regular system restart schedules to clear accumulated resource leaks, conducting thorough security assessments of router configurations, and establishing baseline performance metrics to quickly identify anomalous resource consumption patterns that may indicate vulnerability exploitation.