CVE-2025-70888 in Osslsigncode
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2026
An issue in mtrojnar Osslsigncode affected at v2.10 and before allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via the osslsigncode.c component
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-70888 affects the mtrojnar osslsigncode tool version 2.10 and earlier, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk through the osslsigncode.c component. This flaw enables remote attackers to gain elevated system privileges, potentially compromising the entire system or network infrastructure. The vulnerability resides within the code signing utility that is commonly used to sign and verify digital signatures for executables and other binary files. The osslsigncode tool serves as a critical component in software distribution and security validation processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to manipulate signed binaries and bypass security controls.
The technical root cause of this privilege escalation vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the osslsigncode.c source file. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input parameters that manipulate the tool's execution flow, leading to unauthorized privilege elevation. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw likely occurs during the processing of command-line arguments or file parsing operations where insufficient sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate execution paths. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a tool that is widely used in enterprise environments for code signing operations, making it a prime target for sophisticated attackers seeking persistent access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system binaries, or exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, allowing them to exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on code signing processes for software distribution, as attackers could manipulate signed binaries to appear legitimate while executing malicious payloads. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread adoption of osslsigncode in various security workflows and automated build processes.
Organizations should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The most critical action is to upgrade to the latest version of osslsigncode where this vulnerability has been patched, as version 2.11 and later contain the necessary fixes. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring around code signing operations, limiting who can execute the osslsigncode utility and what parameters they can use. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to systems running code signing tools, especially when these tools are exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their code signing workflows and implement multi-factor authentication for privileged code signing operations. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation, indicates that organizations should review their defensive measures against such attacks and consider implementing behavioral analytics to detect anomalous code signing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for developers and system administrators is also essential to prevent social engineering attacks that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability through phishing or other indirect means.