CVE-2025-56364 in Matter SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
A use of uninitialized value vulnerability exists in the Matter SDK (connectedhomeip) before 1.4.0, where the `GetDestinationGroupId().Value()` method is called without first checking whether a value exists. This leads to a crash when an InvokeCommand is sent without initializing the destination group ID. The issue affects all versions before commit 0360cc3 (Dec 5, 2024) and leads to denial of service through SIGABRT. It is fixed by adding a .HasValue() check before access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a classic case of uninitialized memory access within the Matter SDK implementation, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.4.0. This issue manifests when the GetDestinationGroupId().Value() method is invoked without proper validation of the group ID's existence, creating a scenario where application execution can terminate abruptly due to accessing invalid memory locations. The problem stems from insufficient input validation and defensive programming practices within the SDK's command processing logic, particularly during invoke command operations that require proper group identification for routing.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability constitutes a direct violation of CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables in software development. The flaw occurs at runtime when an InvokeCommand is processed without prior initialization of the destination group ID, causing the system to attempt accessing memory that has not been properly allocated or assigned a value. This type of error typically results in undefined behavior and can be exploited to cause application crashes or more severe system instability. The specific method call pattern GetDestinationGroupId().Value() without preliminary HasValue() verification creates an execution path that leads directly to memory access violations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple crash conditions, as it enables denial of service attacks through SIGABRT signals that terminate the affected process. This represents a significant security concern within connected home environments where Matter protocol compliance is critical for device interoperability and system reliability. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to disrupt smart home ecosystems by sending malformed invoke commands that trigger the uninitialized value access, thereby preventing legitimate device operations and service availability. The vulnerability affects all versions preceding commit 0360cc3 dated December 5, 2024, indicating a prolonged window of exposure where systems remained vulnerable to such memory management failures.
The fix implementation addresses this issue through the addition of proper validation checks using the .HasValue() method before accessing the Value() property. This approach aligns with secure coding practices recommended by industry standards and defensive programming principles that emphasize input validation and state checking before dereferencing potentially invalid data structures. The solution directly mitigates the risk by ensuring that all group ID access operations are properly validated, preventing the execution path that leads to memory corruption and system termination. This remediation strategy follows established patterns for handling optional values in modern software development frameworks and represents a straightforward yet effective approach to resolving the uninitialized value vulnerability while maintaining backward compatibility with existing functionality.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to the connected home security landscape where protocol compliance and robust error handling are paramount for maintaining system integrity. Systems relying on Matter SDK implementations must ensure proper version management and patch deployment to prevent exploitation of such memory access violations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive testing procedures including static analysis and dynamic validation of all code paths that handle optional values or uninitialized data structures, particularly in protocol implementation layers where system stability directly impacts user experience and security posture across interconnected IoT devices.