c-ares up to 1.34.5 read_answer/process_answer use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in c-ares up to 1.34.5. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function read_answer/process_answer. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2025-62408. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in c-ares up to 1.34.5. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function read_answer/process_answer. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

c-ares is an asynchronous resolver library. Versions 1.32.3 through 1.34.5 terminate a query after maximum attempts when using read_answer() and process_answer(), which can cause a Denial of Service. This issue is fixed in version 1.34.6.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-62408 since 10/13/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 277772 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-62408), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 1.34.6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 714bf5675c541bd1e668a8db8e67ce012651e618 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (277772) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2922). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • NetApp Data ONTAP

Productinfo

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.6

VulDB Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Temp Score: 5.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 5.9
CNA Vector (GitHub_M): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 277772
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-62408

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: c-ares 1.34.6
Patch: 714bf5675c541bd1e668a8db8e67ce012651e618

Timelineinfo

10/13/2025 CVE reserved
12/09/2025 +57 days Advisory disclosed
12/09/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 +25 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-jq53-42q6-pqr5
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-62408 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-62408
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-335096
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2922 - NetApp Data ONTAP: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 12/09/2025 12:02
Updated: 01/03/2026 12:12
Changes: 12/09/2025 12:02 (66), 12/09/2025 15:24 (2), 01/03/2026 12:12 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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