How To Fix CVE-2025-1864 - A Critical Memory Buffer Vulnerability In Radare2

Radare2, a popular reverse engineering framework, has recently been found to contain a critical memory buffer vulnerability. This flaw, identified as CVE-2025-1864, can potentially lead to buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution. This article aims to equip security professionals with the knowledge needed to understand, identify, and mitigate this vulnerability. The information provided here will help DevSecOps teams, application security engineers, vulnerability managers, penetration testers, and security operations teams to effectively address this critical issue.

A Short Introduction to Radare2

Radare2 is a comprehensive open-source reverse engineering framework with a rich set of tools for analyzing, disassembling, debugging, and patching binary files. It supports a wide range of architectures and file formats, making it a versatile tool for malware analysis, vulnerability research, and software security assessments. Its modular design allows for easy extension and integration with other security tools. Radare2 is widely used by security researchers, reverse engineers, and software developers to understand the inner workings of software and identify potential security flaws.

Summary of CVE-2025-1864

CVE-2025-1864 stems from an improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. This vulnerability exists in radare2 versions prior to 5.9.9. Due to the lack of proper input validation and buffer management, specifically when processing certain file formats or data structures, radare2 is susceptible to buffer overflow attacks. A local attacker with low privileges and user interaction could exploit this weakness to overwrite adjacent memory regions, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is triggered due to a flaw in how radare2 handles specific file formats and data structures, leading to a buffer overflow. You can find more information about the CVE ID here.

Impact of CVE-2025-1864

The impact of CVE-2025-1864 is significant. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could achieve the following:

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because radare2 is often used in security-sensitive contexts, such as analyzing potentially malicious files or reverse engineering proprietary software. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to compromise the analyst's system or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The relative ease of exploitation and the potential for complete system compromise make CVE-2025-1864 a critical vulnerability that demands immediate attention and remediation.

Products Affected by CVE-2025-1864

The following radare2 versions are affected by this vulnerability:

Radare2 version 5.9.9 and later are not affected as the vulnerability has been patched in these releases. Users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to a patched version as soon as possible.

How to Check Your Product is Vulnerable?

To determine if your radare2 installation is vulnerable to CVE-2025-1864, follow these steps:

Heads Up: Even if you're not actively using radare2, if it's installed on your system in any vulnerable form, it represents a risk. If your system is compromised, an attacker can use radare2 to analyze and exploit other programs and system resources.

How to Fix the Vulnerabilities?

The primary remediation strategy for CVE-2025-1864 is to upgrade radare2 to version 5.9.9 or later. Follow these steps to upgrade:

1. Upgrade using Package Manager: If you installed radare2 using a package manager (e.g., apt, yum, brew), use the package manager to upgrade to the latest version. For example, on Debian-based systems:

2. Build from Source: Alternatively, you can build radare2 from source. This is useful if you need the latest features or are using a system where pre-built packages are not available.

Ensure you have the necessary build tools (e.g., gcc, make) installed before proceeding. For advanced configurations, managing Linux file ownership can enhance security.

3. Workarounds: If immediate patching is not possible, consider these temporary mitigation steps:

Important Note: It is crucial to monitor official radare2 channels (e.g., GitHub repository, mailing lists) for any security updates or patches related to this vulnerability. Apply any new patches as soon as they become available.

By upgrading to the latest version and implementing the suggested mitigation measures, you can significantly reduce the risk posed by CVE-2025-1864 and protect your systems from potential attacks.

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