CVE-2025-11021 is a vulnerability identified in the libsoup HTTP library, a widely used component in GNOME and other Linux-based applications for handling HTTP communications. The flaw arises from improper handling of cookie expiration dates, where specially crafted cookie date values cause the library to perform an out-of-bounds read operation on memory. This memory access can lead to unintended disclosure of sensitive information residing in the process memory space using libsoup. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction to exploit, making it remotely exploitable over the network. The affected product explicitly mentioned is Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, which bundles libsoup as part of its GNOME stack and other web communication tools. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 indicates a high-severity issue, primarily due to the confidentiality impact (high), with no impact on integrity or availability. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity and no privileges required, increasing the risk profile. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, but the potential for sensitive data leakage remains significant. The vulnerability highlights the risks of improper input validation in parsing HTTP cookies, a common web communication mechanism. Given libsoup's widespread use in Linux desktop environments and server applications, the scope of affected systems is broad, especially in environments relying on GNOME or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. The flaw could be leveraged by attackers to extract sensitive information such as authentication tokens, session data, or other confidential memory contents, potentially facilitating further attacks or data breaches.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11021 is primarily the risk of sensitive data leakage from processes using libsoup, which could include web browsers, desktop applications, or backend services relying on GNOME libraries. Confidentiality breaches could expose user credentials, session tokens, or proprietary information, leading to unauthorized access or data theft. Since the vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication or user interaction, attackers can potentially target exposed services or client applications communicating over HTTP. This risk is heightened in sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions across Europe. The flaw could undermine trust in affected applications and complicate compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations. Additionally, organizations using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 in production environments may face operational risks if exploitation leads to data leaks or subsequent attacks. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score necessitates urgent attention to prevent exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability poses a significant threat to confidentiality, with potential cascading effects on organizational security posture and regulatory compliance within Europe.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11021, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor Red Hat and GNOME project advisories closely and apply official patches or updates for libsoup and related packages as soon as they become available. 2) Implement network-level filtering to restrict unsolicited HTTP traffic to and from systems running vulnerable libsoup versions, reducing exposure to remote exploitation. 3) Employ application-layer input validation and sanitization where possible to detect and block malformed or suspicious cookie expiration dates. 4) Conduct internal audits to identify all systems and applications using libsoup, especially within Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 environments, to ensure comprehensive coverage. 5) Use runtime memory protection mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and memory-safe programming practices to reduce the impact of out-of-bounds reads. 6) Enhance logging and monitoring of HTTP cookie handling and network traffic to detect anomalous patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Educate developers and system administrators about the risks of improper cookie parsing and encourage secure coding and configuration practices. 8) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion detection systems (IDS) with custom rules to identify and block exploit attempts targeting cookie handling vulnerabilities. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific nature of the vulnerability and the affected components.