Overview
CVE-2025-50360 describes a critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability discovered in the Pepper language version 0.1.1, specifically within the compiler.c and compiler.h files at commit 961a5d9988c5986d563310275adad3fd181b2bb7. This flaw could be exploited by a malicious actor through the execution of a crafted Pepper source file (.pr), potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides in how the Pepper language compiler handles certain input within source files. A specifically crafted .pr file, when compiled, can cause the compiler to write data beyond the allocated boundaries of a heap buffer. This out-of-bounds write can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program state or allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code.
The exact mechanism triggering the overflow requires deep analysis of the compiler.c and compiler.h files at the specified commit. Further research is necessary to pinpoint the vulnerable code section and the input conditions that reliably trigger the overflow.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, no CVSS score is available for CVE-2025-50360. A thorough analysis of the vulnerability’s exploitability and impact is required to determine the appropriate CVSS base score. Factors to consider include:
- Attack Vector: The attack vector is likely local, requiring the attacker to provide a malicious .pr file to be compiled.
- Attack Complexity: The complexity might be high, requiring a deep understanding of the Pepper language compiler and memory management.
- Privileges Required: The attacker would likely need privileges to execute the compiler.
- User Interaction: User interaction is required to compile the malicious file.
- Scope: The scope may change if successful exploitation elevates privileges.
- Confidentiality Impact: The impact on confidentiality is potentially high, allowing the attacker to read sensitive data.
- Integrity Impact: The integrity impact is potentially high, allowing the attacker to modify critical system files.
- Availability Impact: The availability impact is potentially high, leading to a denial-of-service condition.
Given the potential for arbitrary code execution, a high severity rating is plausible once the CVSS score is determined.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-50360 can have severe consequences:
- Arbitrary Code Execution: An attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the compiler. This could lead to system compromise.
- Denial of Service (DoS): The vulnerability could be exploited to crash the compiler, preventing legitimate users from compiling Pepper language code.
- Data Corruption: The heap overflow could corrupt data in memory, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential data loss.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
The most effective mitigation is to update to a patched version of the Pepper language compiler. If a patch is not yet available, consider the following temporary workarounds:
- Avoid compiling untrusted Pepper source files: Only compile .pr files from trusted sources to minimize the risk of exploitation.
- Implement input validation: If possible, implement input validation routines to check Pepper source files for potentially malicious constructs before compilation. This is a complex undertaking without intimate knowledge of the vulnerability.
- Monitor compiler activity: Monitor the compiler’s memory usage and resource consumption for suspicious behavior.
Check the Pepper language project’s repository for updates and security advisories.
