Overview
CVE-2025-52539 describes a high-severity buffer overflow vulnerability present in the Xilinx Runtime Environment (XRT). This flaw could allow a local attacker to potentially read or corrupt data from the Advanced eXtensible Interface (AXI), leading to a significant compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability of the system.
This vulnerability was published on 2025-11-24 and has a CVSS score of 7.3, indicating a high level of risk.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the Xilinx Runtime Environment’s data handling processes. Specifically, when processing data related to the AXI interface, a buffer overflow can occur if the input data exceeds the allocated buffer size. This overflow allows an attacker, with local access, to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could involve crafting malicious input that specifically targets the affected buffer, enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary code or manipulate sensitive data. The exact attack vector and affected components within XRT will be detailed further by AMD in their security bulletin.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-52539 is 7.3 (HIGH). This score reflects the following characteristics:
- Attack Vector (AV): Local (L)
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L)
- Privileges Required (PR): Low (L)
- User Interaction (UI): None (N)
- Scope (S): Changed (C)
- Confidentiality Impact (C): High (H)
- Integrity Impact (I): High (H)
- Availability Impact (A): High (H)
The high CVSS score is primarily due to the potential for significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, despite the local attack vector.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-52539 can have serious consequences:
- Confidentiality Breach: Sensitive data stored in or accessible through the AXI interface could be exposed to the attacker.
- Data Corruption: The attacker could overwrite critical data, leading to system instability or malfunction.
- Denial of Service: The overflow could lead to a crash or hang, making the system unavailable.
- Arbitrary Code Execution: In some scenarios, the attacker might be able to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The extent of the impact depends on the specific implementation and the context in which the Xilinx Runtime Environment is used.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2025-52539, it is crucial to take the following steps:
- Apply the Patch: AMD has released a patch to address this vulnerability. Immediately apply the patch as described in the security bulletin.
- Review AMD Security Bulletin: Closely review the AMD Security Bulletin for detailed instructions and specific affected versions.
- Monitor for Updates: Stay informed about any future updates or recommendations from AMD regarding this vulnerability.
- Implement Security Best Practices: Adhere to general security best practices, such as limiting access to the system and monitoring for suspicious activity.
Delaying the application of the patch significantly increases the risk of exploitation.
