Code execution via ReiserFS symlink integer overflow
Published Mar 3, 2025 · Updated Jun 29, 2026
Heap buffer overflow in GNU GRUB 2.12 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ReiserFS symlink. The reiserfs module derives allocation sizes from attacker-controlled filesystem geometry without correctly rejecting integer overflow, so grub_malloc allocates an undersized buffer before grub_reiserfs_read_real writes the overflowed length. Exploitation requires high local privileges and a crafted ReiserFS filesystem that GRUB reads while resolving a symlink; successful exploitation can bypass Secure Boot protections.
Summary
What happened
Heap buffer overflow in GNU GRUB 2.12 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ReiserFS symlink. The reiserfs module derives allocation sizes from attacker-controlled filesystem geometry without correctly rejecting integer overflow, so grub_malloc allocates an undersized buffer before grub_reiserfs_read_real writes the overflowed length. Exploitation requires high local privileges and a crafted ReiserFS filesystem that GRUB reads while resolving a symlink; successful exploitation can bypass Secure Boot protections.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-0684
- Published
- Mar 3, 2025
- Updated
- Jun 29, 2026
- Vendor
- The GnuPG Project
- Product
- GNU GRUB
- Classifications
- T1542.003
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 3, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 29, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=0 <=2.12
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Technologies
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