CVE-2025-52581 in libbiosig
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2025
An integer overflow vulnerability exists in the GDF parsing functionality of The Biosig Project libbiosig 3.9.0 and Master Branch (35a819fa). A specially crafted GDF file can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2025
The integer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52581 resides within the Generic Data Format GDF parsing component of the biosig library version 3.9.0 and the master branch commit 35a819fa. This flaw specifically affects The Biosig Project's implementation of GDF file handling, which is commonly used for storing physiological signals and other time-series data in scientific research environments. The vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it enables remote code execution through crafted input files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might process untrusted data from external sources. The GDF format is widely adopted in medical and neuroscience research for storing electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, and other biological signal data, which means this vulnerability could potentially impact research institutions, healthcare facilities, and scientific organizations globally.
The technical implementation flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition during the parsing of GDF file headers and metadata structures. When the biosig library processes a maliciously constructed GDF file, it fails to properly validate integer values during buffer allocation calculations or array indexing operations. This overflow condition occurs when the library attempts to compute memory requirements or data structure sizes based on malformed GDF header fields that contain values exceeding the maximum representable integer limits. The overflow results in incorrect memory allocation decisions or buffer overflows that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which represents a well-known class of memory safety issues that frequently lead to arbitrary code execution in software applications. The specific nature of this overflow suggests improper input validation and insufficient boundary checking within the GDF parser implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains where biosig library functionality is utilized for processing physiological data. Research laboratories, medical institutions, and scientific computing environments that rely on the biosig library for data analysis may face significant security risks when processing untrusted GDF files. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on systems running affected software versions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because GDF files are commonly shared between research institutions and may contain sensitive medical or scientific data, making them attractive targets for exploitation. The attack vector requires only the delivery of a malicious GDF file to the target system, which can occur through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or automated data processing pipelines, making the exploitation surface quite broad.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-52581 should prioritize immediate software updates to patched versions of the biosig library, as this represents the most effective defense against the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies for all GDF file processing activities, including the deployment of automated scanning tools to identify potentially malicious files before they are processed by the biosig library. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in environments where multiple users may process untrusted data. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms for GDF file processing can provide additional protection layers, isolating vulnerable library functions from critical system resources. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits of scientific computing environments should be conducted to ensure proper patch management and vulnerability remediation. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for applications that utilize the biosig library, reducing the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 as Exploitation for Execution, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that prevent unauthorized code execution in research and medical computing environments.