CVE-2025-69421
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSSL. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to trigger a Denial of Service (DoS) by providing a specially crafted, malformed PKCS#12 file to an application that processes it. The flaw occurs due to a NULL pointer dereference in the PKCS12_item_decrypt_d2i_ex() function when handling the malformed file, leading to an application crash.
Statement
This vulnerability is rated Low for Red Hat because it requires an application to process a specially crafted, malformed PKCS#12 file, leading to a Denial of Service. The vulnerability is limited to a crash and cannot be escalated to achieve code execution or memory disclosure. Red Hat FIPS modules are not affected as the PKCS#12 implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary.
Mitigation
Restrict applications from processing untrusted or externally supplied PKCS#12 files, ensuring certificates are sourced only from trusted internal authorities. Additionally, configure critical background services with automatic restart policies (such as systemd's Restart=on-failure) to quickly restore availability if a denial-of-service crash occurs.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Attack Vector | Network | Network | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | None | None |
| User Interaction | Required | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | None | None |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | None |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what something means? Check out our Security Glossary.
Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.
