CVE-2025-29480 is a buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the GDAL (Geospatial Data Abstraction Library) version 3.10.2, specifically within the OGRSpatialReference::Release function. GDAL is a widely used open-source library for reading and writing raster and vector geospatial data formats, integral to many GIS (Geographic Information System) applications and services. The vulnerability arises when a local attacker triggers a buffer overflow condition during the release of spatial reference objects, potentially causing a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the affected application. The CVE details indicate that the attack vector requires local access with low privileges (AV:L, PR:L), no user interaction is needed (UI:N), and the impact is limited to availability (A:H) without affecting confidentiality or integrity. The supplier has stated that the report could not be reproduced and considers it invalid, which suggests that exploitation may be difficult or the vulnerability may not exist as described. The CVSS score of 5.5 (medium severity) reflects this moderate risk. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-120, a classic buffer overflow issue, which can lead to memory corruption if triggered. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. Given the local access requirement and the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation would likely require an attacker to have some form of access to the host system, such as through compromised credentials or insider threat scenarios.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for denial of service on systems utilizing GDAL 3.10.2, particularly those handling geospatial data processing. This could disrupt critical GIS applications used in sectors like urban planning, environmental monitoring, transportation, and defense. Although the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability interruptions could delay decision-making processes or operational workflows dependent on geospatial data. The local access requirement limits the risk to internal threat actors or attackers who have already gained some foothold within the network. Organizations with extensive use of GDAL in their infrastructure, especially in government agencies, mapping services, and utilities, may face operational disruptions if exploited. However, the supplier's inability to reproduce the issue and the absence of known exploits reduce the immediate threat level. Still, organizations should remain vigilant, as buffer overflow vulnerabilities can sometimes be leveraged for privilege escalation or code execution if further research reveals additional attack vectors.

European organizations should first verify whether GDAL 3.10.2 is deployed within their environments, focusing on systems processing geospatial data. Given the supplier's indication that the vulnerability report is invalid, organizations should monitor official GDAL project communications and security advisories for any updates or patches. In the interim, restricting local access to trusted users and enforcing strict access controls can mitigate the risk of exploitation. Employing application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Regularly auditing user privileges and monitoring for unusual local activity will further reduce exposure. If possible, consider upgrading to later GDAL versions where this vulnerability is not present or confirmed. Additionally, sandboxing GIS applications or running them with least privilege can limit the impact of potential crashes. Finally, maintaining comprehensive backups and incident response plans will aid in rapid recovery should a denial of service occur.