CVE-2025-54462 in libbiosig
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2025
A heap-based buffer overflow 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 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 heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-54462 resides within the Nex parsing functionality of libbiosig version 3.9.0 and the master branch commit 35a819fa from The Biosig Project. This critical security flaw manifests when the library processes specially crafted .nex files, which are used for storing biological signal data in neuroimaging and electrophysiology applications. The vulnerability represents a severe threat to systems that rely on libbiosig for processing biological data, particularly in research environments where data integrity and system security are paramount.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of Nex file structures. When the library encounters malformed data within the .nex file format, specifically within heap-allocated memory regions used for storing biological signal information, it fails to validate input lengths properly. This oversight allows an attacker to craft a malicious file that deliberately exceeds buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The flaw operates at the heap memory level, making it particularly dangerous as it can overwrite critical program structures and function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise entire research computing environments that depend on biological signal processing. Systems utilizing libbiosig for data analysis, particularly in neuroscience research, medical imaging, or electrophysiology studies, face significant risk when processing untrusted .nex files. The vulnerability can be triggered through routine file processing operations, meaning that simply opening or parsing a malicious file can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive research data, potentially accessing proprietary scientific information or compromising research integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-54462 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libbiosig versions, with the master branch commit 35a819fa requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all .nex files entering their systems, particularly those from untrusted sources or external collaborators. Input sanitization measures including length validation, memory boundary checks, and proper error handling should be enforced throughout the parsing pipeline. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. System administrators should also consider network segmentation and file access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.