Overview
The CVE-2025-53964 is a major security vulnerability discovered in GoldenDict versions 1.5.0 and 1.5.1. This vulnerability revolves around an exposed dangerous method that could potentially allow unauthorized access to read and modify files when a user adds a maliciously crafted dictionary and performs a search for any term within that dictionary. This exploit can lead to severe consequences like system compromise or data leakage. Given the severity and the potential impact of this vulnerability, it is critical for system and network administrators to understand the nuances and take appropriate measures to mitigate the risks.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-53964
Severity: Critical (9.6 CVSS Severity Score)
Attack Vector: Local file inclusion (LFI)
Privileges Required: User level
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
GoldenDict | 1.5.0, 1.5.1
How the Exploit Works
The exploit leverages an exposed method within GoldenDict that allows for the reading and modifying of files. The attacker crafts a dictionary with malicious content and induces a user to add this dictionary to their GoldenDict application. When the user searches for any term within this crafted dictionary, the exposed method is exploited, enabling the attacker to read and modify files on the system.
Conceptual Example Code
A hypothetical example of how this vulnerability could be exploited is illustrated below. It’s a shell command that demonstrates the addition of a malicious dictionary and a subsequent search:
# Adding the maliciously crafted dictionary
$ goldendict --add-dictionary /path/to/malicious_dictionary.dz
# Searching for a term within the crafted dictionary
$ goldendict --search "malicious_term"The above commands are purely conceptual and serve to illustrate the point. In an actual attack scenario, the malicious dictionary could contain code that exploits the exposed method to manipulate files on the user’s system.
Mitigation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-53964, users are advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the interim, the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as temporary mitigation strategies. Regular monitoring of system logs and network traffic can also help in early detection of any potential exploitation attempts.