CVE-2025-46398 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the xfig diagramming tool, specifically within the fig2dev utility's read_objects function. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of local input data, which can overflow a stack buffer and cause memory corruption. The flaw is exploitable by a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L), requiring no user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning remote exploitation is not feasible without prior access. The vulnerability impacts the integrity (I:H) of the system by potentially allowing an attacker to alter program execution or data, but it does not affect confidentiality (C:N) or availability (A:N). The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity rating, indicating moderate risk. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches or vendor advisories are currently linked, suggesting the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The vulnerability is significant for environments where xfig is used for diagramming, such as academic institutions, engineering firms, and technical documentation teams. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is primarily from insider threats or attackers who have already compromised a system. The lack of user interaction requirement means exploitation can be automated once local access is obtained. The vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution or application crashes, undermining the integrity of the affected system or data processed by fig2dev.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-46398 lies in the potential for local attackers to corrupt memory and alter the behavior of the fig2dev tool within xfig. This can lead to compromised integrity of diagrams or related data, potentially affecting engineering designs, academic research, or technical documentation. While confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise could result in erroneous outputs or corrupted files, which in critical environments might cause downstream errors or misinformed decisions. The requirement for local access limits the threat to insider attackers or those who have already breached perimeter defenses. Organizations relying on xfig for technical workflows should consider the risk of insider threats or malware leveraging this vulnerability to escalate privileges or disrupt operations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance. Given the medium severity, the impact is moderate but could be significant in environments where data integrity is critical.

1. Monitor for and apply security patches or updates from xfig maintainers or relevant Linux distributions as soon as they become available. 2. Restrict local access to systems running xfig and fig2dev to trusted users only, employing strict user account controls and least privilege principles. 3. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting fig2dev. 4. Conduct regular audits of user activity on systems with xfig installed to identify unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Consider sandboxing or containerizing the fig2dev utility to limit the impact of potential memory corruption. 6. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted input through xfig tools and enforce policies to validate input sources. 7. Employ system integrity monitoring to detect unexpected changes in fig2dev binaries or related files. 8. In environments with high security requirements, consider alternative diagramming tools with fewer vulnerabilities until patches are available.