CVE-2025-52461 in libbiosig
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2025
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the Nex parsing functionality of The Biosig Project libbiosig 3.9.0 and Master Branch (35a819fa). A specially crafted .nex file can lead to an information leak. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52461 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Nex file parsing component of the libbiosig library version 3.9.0 and the master branch revision 35a819fa. This flaw resides in the biosig project's parsing functionality specifically designed to handle NEX format files, which are commonly used in electrophysiological data processing within neuroscience research and clinical applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking during the parsing of structured data elements within the NEX file format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the parsing routine fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries while processing specific data structures within the NEX file. When a maliciously crafted NEX file is presented to the vulnerable library, the parsing function attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds read operation. This condition can potentially expose sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, including stack contents, heap data, or other internal program state information that may contain authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. An attacker who successfully triggers this vulnerability could potentially extract sensitive data that might aid in further attacks, including privilege escalation or bypassing security mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the libbiosig library is used to process untrusted data from external sources, such as research collaboration networks or clinical data exchange platforms. This issue aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of memory safety vulnerabilities that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the libbiosig library to version 3.9.1 or later, which contains the necessary boundary checks and input validation fixes. System administrators and developers should implement strict input validation procedures for all NEX file processing workflows, including file format verification and size limitation checks before processing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1552.001 for unsecured credentials, as the information leak could potentially expose sensitive data that attackers might leverage for further compromise. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata protection can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish secure coding practices that emphasize input validation and boundary checking in all data processing components.