CVE-2025-13502 is a vulnerability discovered in WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit, components widely used for rendering web content in Linux desktop environments and embedded devices. The flaw arises from an out-of-bounds read combined with an integer underflow triggered by a specially crafted payload sent to the GLib remote inspector server, a debugging interface used for inspecting and controlling WebKit processes remotely. This vulnerability leads to a crash of the UIProcess, the main user interface process responsible for rendering and interaction, resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction, making it relatively easy to exploit remotely. The vulnerability does not allow for code execution or data leakage but disrupts service availability, potentially impacting applications relying on WebKitGTK for web content rendering. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the high impact on availability with low complexity and no privileges required. The vulnerability affects all versions of WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit prior to the fix, emphasizing the need for timely updates once patches are released.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-13502 is service disruption due to denial-of-service conditions in applications or embedded systems using WebKitGTK or WPE WebKit. This can affect Linux desktop environments, web browsers, and embedded devices such as smart TVs, kiosks, or IoT devices that rely on these components for web content rendering. Critical services that depend on these platforms may experience downtime, affecting business continuity and user experience. Although no data confidentiality or integrity compromise is involved, repeated or targeted DoS attacks could lead to operational disruptions, increased support costs, and reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure that use Linux-based systems extensively may face higher risks. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate threat levels but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation once details become public.

1. Monitor vendor advisories closely and apply security patches for WebKitGTK and WPE WebKit immediately upon release. 2. Restrict network access to the GLib remote inspector server by implementing firewall rules or network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 3. Disable the GLib remote inspector server if remote debugging is not required in production environments. 4. Implement application-level monitoring to detect abnormal UIProcess crashes or unusual network traffic patterns targeting WebKitGTK components. 5. Employ intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on suspicious payloads or scanning activity against the GLib remote inspector port. 6. For embedded devices, ensure firmware updates include the patched WebKitGTK/WPE WebKit versions and verify update mechanisms are secure. 7. Educate system administrators and developers about the risks of exposing debugging interfaces in production and enforce secure configuration management.