CVE-2025-55078 is a vulnerability identified in the Eclipse Foundation's ThreadX real-time operating system (RTOS) versions prior to 6.4.3. ThreadX is widely used in embedded systems and IoT devices due to its lightweight and efficient design. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of pointers passed to certain system calls. Specifically, while the system calls perform pointer checks, these checks do not verify whether the pointer lies outside the module's allocated memory region. An attacker with local privileges can exploit this by providing a pointer referencing a reserved or unmapped memory region, which leads to a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the system. The root cause is classified under CWE-233, which relates to improper handling of parameters that can cause resource exhaustion or crashes. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges (PR:L), and partial attack type (AT:P), with no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is primarily on availability (VA:H), with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability poses a risk to embedded systems relying on ThreadX, especially in industrial, automotive, and IoT environments where system uptime is critical. The lack of pointer boundary validation suggests a potential for further exploitation if combined with other vulnerabilities. The absence of a patch link indicates that a fix may be forthcoming or in development. Organizations using ThreadX should monitor vendor advisories closely and prepare to deploy updates promptly.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-55078 is a denial of service condition caused by system crashes in devices running vulnerable versions of ThreadX. For European organizations, this can disrupt critical embedded systems in sectors such as industrial automation, automotive, healthcare devices, and IoT infrastructure. Availability loss in these contexts can lead to operational downtime, safety risks, and financial losses. Since ThreadX is embedded in many devices with real-time requirements, even short outages can have outsized consequences. The vulnerability requires local access, which may limit remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk from insider threats or compromised local networks. The medium severity rating reflects moderate impact and exploitation complexity; however, in critical infrastructure environments common in Europe, the operational impact could be significant. Additionally, the lack of confidentiality or integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not diminish the importance of maintaining system stability. European organizations with supply chains or products incorporating ThreadX should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation to avoid service interruptions.

1. Monitor Eclipse Foundation advisories and apply the official ThreadX 6.4.3 update or later as soon as it becomes available to address the pointer validation flaw. 2. Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and prevent unauthorized local code execution or parameter manipulation. 3. Employ runtime memory protection mechanisms such as Memory Protection Units (MPUs) or hardware-enforced memory boundaries to prevent pointers from referencing unmapped or reserved memory regions. 4. Conduct thorough code audits and testing for embedded applications using ThreadX to detect improper pointer usage or unsafe system call invocations. 5. Deploy host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) or endpoint monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous local activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. For critical systems, consider network segmentation and isolation to reduce the risk of local attackers gaining access. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to recover quickly from potential denial of service events. 8. Engage with device and system vendors to confirm ThreadX versions in use and their patching status. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on embedded system-specific controls and proactive monitoring tailored to the RTOS environment.