CVE-2025-11412 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability discovered in GNU Binutils version 2.45, specifically within the function bfd_elf_gc_record_vtentry located in the bfd/elflink.c source file of the linker component. This vulnerability arises due to improper bounds checking when handling certain ELF garbage collection records, allowing an attacker with local access and low privileges to read memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The flaw does not require user interaction or elevated privileges beyond local access, making it accessible to low-privileged users on the affected system. Exploitation could lead to unintended disclosure of sensitive memory contents or cause application instability, such as crashes. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.8 (medium) score, reflecting its moderate impact and exploit complexity. No known exploits are currently active in the wild, but the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of future exploitation. The GNU project has released a patch identified by commit 047435dd988a3975d40c6626a8f739a0b2e154bc to remediate the issue. Given GNU Binutils' widespread use in software compilation, linking, and system development environments, this vulnerability could affect a broad range of systems where version 2.45 is deployed. The vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability at a high level but poses a risk of information leakage and potential system instability if exploited.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-11412 lies in the potential for local attackers to read sensitive memory areas, which could include cryptographic keys, passwords, or other confidential data residing in memory. Although the vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, it could be leveraged in multi-user environments, shared hosting, or developer workstations to escalate information disclosure risks. The vulnerability might also cause application crashes or instability in development and build environments, potentially disrupting software development pipelines or automated build systems. Organizations relying heavily on GNU Binutils 2.45 for compiling and linking software, especially in critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or government sectors, could face operational risks if the vulnerability is exploited. However, since no remote exploitation or privilege escalation is involved, the overall risk is moderate. Timely patching is essential to prevent attackers from using this vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks or lateral movement within internal networks.

European organizations should immediately verify the version of GNU Binutils deployed in their environments and upgrade from version 2.45 to the patched version containing commit 047435dd988a3975d40c6626a8f739a0b2e154bc. For environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, restrict local access to trusted users only and implement strict access controls on development and build systems. Employ monitoring to detect unusual local activity or crashes related to the linker component. Incorporate vulnerability scanning and software composition analysis tools to identify vulnerable Binutils versions in CI/CD pipelines. Educate developers and system administrators about the risks of local exploitation and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the impact of potential attacks. Additionally, consider isolating build environments using containerization or virtualization to limit the scope of any exploitation. Regularly review and update patch management processes to ensure timely application of security updates for open-source toolchains.