CVE-2025-55174 is a vulnerability identified in KDE Skanpage, a scanning application commonly used in Linux environments, particularly within KDE desktop ecosystems. The flaw arises from incorrect use of the Qt framework's file I/O modes: specifically, the application uses QIODevice::ReadWrite instead of QIODevice::WriteOnly when overwriting files. This improper mode causes the new file to be written starting correctly but leaves residual data from the previous file appended at the end. This behavior constitutes an incorrect provision of specified functionality (CWE-684), potentially leading to partial data leakage or corruption in the overwritten files. The vulnerability is local in nature, requiring the attacker to have local access to the system, and has a high attack complexity, meaning exploitation is not straightforward. No privileges or user interaction are required, and the vulnerability affects all versions of KDE Skanpage prior to 25.08.0. The CVSS v3.1 score is 3.2, reflecting low severity primarily due to limited confidentiality impact and no effect on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked at the time of publication. The issue is primarily a data integrity concern, where files may contain unintended leftover data, which could cause confusion or minor information disclosure if sensitive data persists in overwritten files. This vulnerability highlights the importance of correct file handling modes in software development to prevent subtle data leakage or corruption issues.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-55174 is generally low but not negligible. Organizations relying on KDE Skanpage for document scanning and processing may encounter files that unintentionally contain residual data from previous files, potentially leading to minor data integrity issues. While this does not directly compromise system confidentiality, integrity, or availability on a broad scale, it could cause confusion or inadvertent exposure of sensitive information if overwritten files are shared or processed further. The vulnerability requires local access and has high attack complexity, limiting the likelihood of exploitation by external attackers. However, insider threats or compromised local accounts could exploit this flaw to glean partial information from residual file data. The absence of known exploits and the low CVSS score suggest limited immediate risk, but organizations with strict data handling policies or regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) should consider the potential implications of residual data exposure. Overall, the threat is more relevant to environments with KDE Skanpage deployed on Linux workstations used for sensitive scanning tasks.

1. Upgrade KDE Skanpage to version 25.08.0 or later as soon as it becomes available, as this version addresses the improper file overwrite handling. 2. Until an official patch is released, consider restricting local access to systems running vulnerable versions of Skanpage to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Implement file integrity monitoring on scanned documents to detect unexpected residual data or corruption. 4. Review and audit scanning workflows to ensure sensitive documents are handled securely and residual data risks are minimized, including secure deletion or overwriting of temporary files. 5. Educate users about the potential for residual data in scanned files and encourage verification of scanned document contents before distribution. 6. For organizations with strict data protection requirements, consider alternative scanning tools that do not exhibit this vulnerability until patched. 7. Monitor KDE and security advisories for official patches and apply them promptly. 8. If feasible, contribute to or review KDE Skanpage source code to verify proper file handling practices and prevent similar issues in the future.