CVE-2025-50164: Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Windows RRAS

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape is under constant threat with new vulnerabilities being discovered frequently. One such vulnerability that has been recently identified is the CVE-2025-50164, a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS). This vulnerability can be exploited by an authorized attacker to execute arbitrary code over a network, potentially leading to severe consequences such as system compromise or data leakage.
The severity of this vulnerability lies in the fact that RRAS is a widely used service, part of many Windows servers, and thus, a successful exploit could potentially affect a large number of systems. This vulnerability underscores the need for regular patching and maintaining a strong security posture.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-50164
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.0)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Windows Server | All versions prior to patch release

How the Exploit Works

The exploit leverages a buffer overflow vulnerability in the heap memory utilized by the Windows RRAS. The attacker, having authorized access, can send specially crafted data packets over the network to the targeted system. These data packets are designed to overflow the heap buffer of the RRAS, causing it to execute arbitrary code. The overflow can overwrite the memory of RRAS with the attacker’s code, leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This pseudocode simulates the process of crafting a malicious data packet to trigger heap overflow:

# Pseudocode for exploit
def exploit(target_ip):
# Create a malicious payload
payload = create_payload()
# Create a socket connection to the target
s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
s.connect((target_ip, RRAS_PORT))
# Send the malicious payload
s.send(payload)
s.close()
def create_payload():
# This is an oversimplified example. Real-world exploits would require careful crafting of the payload.
return 'A' * BUFFER_OVERFLOW_SIZE + SHELLCODE

Please note that this is a conceptual example and not an actual exploit code. The actual process of exploiting this vulnerability would be far more complex and requires a deep understanding of the system’s internals and the RRAS service.