OpenSSL/libetebase: Use-after-free in OpenSSL properties argument handling (CVE-2025-3416) #shorts

Summary

In this episode, we discuss CVE-2025-3416, a moderate-severity use-after-free flaw in OpenSSL's handling of the properties argument. Discovered in early April 2025, it affects multiple Red Hat and SUSE products and can lead to undefined behavior or denial of service. Vendors have released security updates to address the issue.

Product details

The vulnerability is present in OpenSSL components shipped with Red Hat Directory Server 11 and 12; Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4; Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer; and Red Hat Trusted Profile Analyzer. SUSE has also released fixes for himmelblau (bsc#1242648, bsc#1244202) and for libetebase on openSUSE, including a DoS patch in openSUSE 15 SP7.

Vulnerability type summary

CVE-2025-3416 is classified as a use-after-free weakness. When OpenSSL processes the ‘properties’ argument in certain API functions, it may free memory prematurely and then continue to use it. This can result in memory corruption, unexpected behavior, or denial of service if the freed memory is reused or the input is treated as an empty string.

Details of the vulnerability

The flaw arises in the functions that accept an OpenSSL properties argument. Improper management of the properties object can trigger a free operation while references to it remain in use. Attackers able to supply crafted input could force OpenSSL to parse an empty or malformed property list, causing undefined behavior or triggering a service crash. While no public exploit has been reported, the use-after-free pattern can be leveraged for remote denial-of-service attacks and, in theory, for arbitrary code execution under certain conditions.

Conclusion

Administrators should apply the vendor patches immediately. Red Hat has issued updates as of April and May 2025, and SUSE distributions have published fixes for himmelblau and libetebase. Keeping OpenSSL libraries up to date will prevent potential service outages or security breaches. Stay tuned for more security news and remember to subscribe for episode alerts.

Watch the full video on YouTube: CVE-2025-3416

Remediation and exploitation details

This chain involves the following actors

  • Malicious Actor: Initiates exploitation of the vulnerability
  • System Administrator: Manages and secures affected systems
  • End User: Uses applications that rely on the vulnerable library

This following systems are involved

  • OpenSSL (Cryptographic function library): Contains the vulnerable properties handling code
  • libetebase (Dependent library using OpenSSL): Links to the vulnerable OpenSSL functions
  • Red Hat Directory Server (Authentication and directory services): Embedded OpenSSL for secure communications
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (Operating system): Hosts OpenSSL-based applications
  • OpenShift Container Platform (Container orchestration): Relies on OpenSSL for secure container communication
  • Trusted Artifact Signer (Artifact signing service): Uses OpenSSL to sign and verify data
  • Trusted Profile Analyzer (Profile analysis tool): Uses OpenSSL for data validation
  • SUSE himmelblau (Application platform): Includes a vulnerable OpenSSL version
  • openSUSE 15 SP7 (Operating system): Bundles the vulnerable library

Attack entry point

  • Properties Argument: Input field passed into specific OpenSSL functions that parse property strings
  • Input Parsing Routine: Code path where the properties string is allocated and freed

Remediation actions

System Administrator
Apply the vendor security update for OpenSSL and libetebase
All affected servers
Application Developer
Rebuild applications against the patched library versions
All OpenSSL-dependent software
End User
Restart services to load the updated libraries
Local and remote applications using OpenSSL

Exploitation actions

Manipulate memory allocation and freeing

Malicious Actor
Craft and supply a specially designed properties string
OpenSSL via target application
Examples:
  • Step 1: Identify application endpoints that invoke the vulnerable OpenSSL function with a properties parameter
  • Step 2: Create a properties string containing a payload that triggers premature release of the internal structure
  • Step 3: Send the string to the application through its input interface, such as a network request or command execution path
  • Step 4: Monitor memory behavior to confirm that the properties structure is freed at the wrong time
  • Step 5: Provide additional input to reallocate memory at the same address, replacing it with attacker-controlled data
  • Step 6: Invoke the parsing routine again to operate on the freed and reallocated memory, causing memory corruption
  • Step 7: Use the corrupted memory state to crash the application or redirect execution flow for arbitrary code execution

Related Content

NOTE: The following related content has not been vetted and may be unsafe.

CVE database technical details

CVE ID
CVE-2025-3416
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSSL's handling of the properties argument in certain functions. This vulnerability can allow use-after-free exploitation, which may result in undefined behavior or incorrect property parsing, leading to OpenSSL treating the input as an empty string.
Provider
redhat
CWE / problem types
Use After Free
Affected Software Versions
Red Hat:Red Hat Directory Server 11:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Directory Server 12:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:None,Red Hat:Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4:None,Red Hat:Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Trusted Artifact Signer:None,Red Hat:Red Hat Trusted Profile Analyzer:None
Date Published
2025-04-08T18:24:22.102Z
Last Updated
2025-05-22T13:26:41.042Z