CVE-2025-46399 is a vulnerability identified in the fig2dev software, specifically within the genge_itp_spline function. The flaw is a NULL pointer dereference triggered by local input manipulation, which causes the application to crash or become unavailable, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. Fig2dev is a component of the Graphviz suite used for converting graph descriptions into various output formats, often utilized in academic, engineering, and technical documentation workflows. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges (AV:L, PR:L) and no user interaction (UI:N), indicating that an attacker must have some form of local presence on the system to exploit it. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level primarily due to its impact on availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches or vendor advisories are currently available, which suggests that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may require attention from system administrators. The vulnerability’s impact is limited to denial of service, which could disrupt workflows relying on fig2dev for graph rendering or document generation. Since fig2dev is often part of open-source toolchains, organizations using these tools in development or production environments may be vulnerable if local users or attackers gain access. The lack of remote exploitability reduces the risk of widespread attacks but does not eliminate the threat in environments where local access is possible.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-46399 is the potential disruption of services or workflows that depend on fig2dev for graph rendering and document processing. This could affect academic institutions, research centers, engineering firms, and software development teams that integrate fig2dev into their toolchains. A successful exploitation would cause application crashes, leading to denial of service and possible delays in project timelines or document generation. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability interruptions could impact productivity and operational continuity. Organizations with multi-user systems or shared environments where local access is granted to multiple users are at higher risk. The absence of remote exploitation means that external attackers cannot directly exploit this vulnerability without first gaining local access, which somewhat limits the threat scope. However, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised a system locally could leverage this flaw to cause service outages. In regulated industries or critical infrastructure sectors, even temporary denial of service conditions may have compliance or operational consequences.

To mitigate CVE-2025-46399, European organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and restrict who can execute fig2dev or related tools. Monitoring and logging local user activities can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Administrators should isolate systems running fig2dev from untrusted users and consider using sandboxing or containerization to limit the impact of potential crashes. Since no patches are currently available, organizations should track vendor advisories and apply updates promptly once released. Additionally, reviewing and sanitizing input sources that feed into fig2dev can reduce the risk of triggering the NULL pointer dereference. For environments where fig2dev is critical, consider alternative tools or workflows until a fix is available. Conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests focusing on local privilege escalation and denial of service scenarios can help identify exposure. Finally, educating users about the risks of local exploitation and enforcing the principle of least privilege will reduce the attack surface.