CVE-2025-47868: Heap-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Apache NuttX RTOS Repository

Overview

In the realm of cybersecurity, one of the significant and possibly dangerous vulnerabilities that has recently surfaced involves an Out-of-bounds Write which can result in a potential Heap-based Buffer Overflow. This vulnerability was discovered in the Apache NuttX RTOS repository, specifically in an optional standalone program, the tools/bdf-converter font conversion utility. The risk factor is particularly potent for active users of the bdf-converter when exposed to externally provided user data, such as in the case of publicly available automation. This issue could potentially compromise the system or lead to data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-47868
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Remote
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Apache NuttX | 6.9 – 12.8.9

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability resides in the tools/bdf-converter font conversion utility of the Apache NuttX RTOS repository. The tool can suffer from an Out-of-bounds Write when handling externally provided user data, leading to a possible Heap-based Buffer Overflow.
When the bdf-converter processes malicious payload present in the user data, it can cause the program to write data beyond the intended boundary of a buffer. This could corrupt data, crash the program, or lead to the execution of malicious code. This type of attack can be initiated remotely and does not require any particular user privileges, but it does require user interaction to be successful.

Conceptual Example Code

Given the nature of the vulnerability, an attacker might exploit it by sending a crafted bdf file with malicious payload. The pseudocode might look something like this:

# Attacker crafts a malicious bdf file
echo "malicious_payload" > malicious.bdf
# Attacker sends the malicious bdf file to the target system
scp malicious.bdf user@target_system:/path/to/bdf-converter/input/
# User on the target system unknowingly uses the malicious bdf file with the bdf-converter
bdf-converter -i /path/to/bdf-converter/input/malicious.bdf -o /path/to/output

Remember, this code is purely conceptual and serves to illustrate how an attacker might exploit the vulnerability. Real-world exploits would likely be more complex and tailored to specific environments.
Users affected by this vulnerability are strongly recommended to upgrade to version 12.9.0 of Apache NuttX, which contains a fix for the issue. Alternatively, the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation until the patch can be applied.