CVE-2025-4598 is a vulnerability in systemd-coredump, a component responsible for capturing core dumps of crashed processes on Linux systems, specifically affecting Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 versions 0 through 257. The flaw arises from a race condition in signal handling where an attacker can forcibly crash a SUID (Set User ID) process, which runs with elevated privileges. By triggering the crash and rapidly recycling the process ID (PID) before systemd-coredump reads the /proc/pid/auxv file, the attacker can replace the original SUID binary with a non-SUID binary. This manipulation allows the attacker to access the privileged coredump file of the original process, which contains sensitive information loaded into memory, such as the contents of /etc/shadow. Since SUID binaries run with elevated permissions, the coredump files they generate can expose highly sensitive data. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and has a high attack complexity due to the need to win the race condition. No user interaction is required, and the scope is limited to confidentiality impact, as integrity and availability are not affected. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.7 (medium severity), reflecting these factors. There are currently no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability highlights the risks associated with improper handling of privileged process crashes and the importance of secure core dump management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant confidentiality risk, especially for those relying on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 in critical infrastructure, government, finance, and healthcare sectors where sensitive data is processed. An attacker with local access could extract highly sensitive information such as password hashes from /etc/shadow, potentially leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within networks. Although exploitation requires local access and is complex, insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds could leverage this flaw to deepen their access. The exposure of privileged data could lead to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Organizations with strict data protection requirements must treat this vulnerability seriously to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive credentials and secrets.

To mitigate CVE-2025-4598, organizations should promptly apply vendor patches once available, as patching systemd-coredump is the definitive fix. Until patches are deployed, restrict local access to trusted users only and enforce strict access controls on SUID binaries and their directories to prevent unauthorized manipulation. Implement monitoring and alerting for unusual process crashes and rapid PID recycling that may indicate exploitation attempts. Consider disabling core dumps for SUID processes or redirecting core dumps to secure, access-controlled locations. Employ mandatory access control frameworks such as SELinux or AppArmor to limit the ability of processes to replace binaries or access sensitive files. Regularly audit SUID binaries and systemd-coredump configurations to ensure compliance with security best practices. Additionally, enhance logging to detect suspicious activities related to process crashes and file replacements. Educate system administrators about this vulnerability and the importance of minimizing local privilege escalation vectors.