CVE-2025-46397 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the xfig diagramming tool, specifically occurring during the execution of the fig2dev utility. The vulnerability arises within the bezier_spline function, where improper handling of local input data can lead to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the stack than it can hold, overwriting adjacent memory and potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate the program's control flow or corrupt data. In this case, exploitation requires local input manipulation, meaning an attacker must supply crafted input data to fig2dev to trigger the overflow. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N), the attack vector is local (AV:L), with high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is required (UI:R). The impact affects integrity (I:H) but not confidentiality or availability. The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, and no patches or vendor information are provided. The affected version is listed as '0', which likely indicates an early or unspecified version of xfig or fig2dev. Overall, this vulnerability could allow an attacker with local access and ability to provide crafted input to cause memory corruption, potentially leading to code execution or manipulation of the tool's output, impacting the integrity of generated diagrams or related processes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-46397 depends largely on the usage of xfig and fig2dev within their environments. xfig is a legacy diagramming tool primarily used in Unix-like systems for creating technical drawings. Organizations relying on xfig for documentation, design, or automated diagram generation could face risks if local users or attackers can supply malicious input to fig2dev. The integrity of diagrams and related outputs could be compromised, potentially misleading decision-making or technical processes. While the vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or availability, the memory corruption could be leveraged in targeted attacks to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code locally. This is particularly relevant in environments where multiple users share systems or where local user accounts have limited restrictions. Given the high attack complexity and requirement for user interaction, widespread exploitation is less likely, but targeted attacks against organizations using xfig in critical workflows could occur. Additionally, the lack of patches and vendor guidance increases the risk of unmitigated exposure. European organizations in sectors such as engineering, research, or academia, where xfig might still be in use, should be particularly attentive to this vulnerability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46397, European organizations should first identify any systems running xfig and fig2dev, especially versions prior to any forthcoming patches. Since no patches are currently available, organizations should consider the following specific actions: 1) Restrict local access to systems with xfig installed to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious input. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization where possible, such as wrapping fig2dev calls in scripts that validate input files before processing. 3) Monitor usage of fig2dev and related processes for unusual behavior or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Consider replacing xfig with more modern, actively maintained diagramming tools that do not have known vulnerabilities. 5) Employ application whitelisting and privilege restrictions to limit execution of fig2dev to authorized users and contexts. 6) Stay alert for vendor or community patches and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct user awareness training to prevent inadvertent triggering of the vulnerability through malicious or malformed input files. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, input validation, monitoring, and proactive replacement strategies tailored to the specific nature of this vulnerability.