CVE-2025-6141 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the GNU ncurses library, specifically affecting versions up to 6.5-20250322. The flaw resides in the function postprocess_termcap within the source file tinfo/parse_entry.c. This function is responsible for processing terminal capability entries, and improper handling of input data can lead to a stack-based buffer overflow. Such a vulnerability allows an attacker with local access and limited privileges (low privileges required) to potentially overwrite the stack memory, which could lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes or, in some cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or elevated privileges beyond local access, and no authentication is needed. The attack vector is local, meaning the attacker must have some form of access to the affected system to exploit this issue. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v4.0 base score of 4.8, indicating a medium severity level. The vendor has addressed this issue in version 6.5-20250329 of GNU ncurses, and upgrading to this or later versions mitigates the risk. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability on a large scale remotely but poses a risk primarily to local users or processes that can interact with the vulnerable function. GNU ncurses is widely used in Unix-like operating systems, including many Linux distributions common in European IT environments, especially for terminal handling and text-based user interfaces.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-6141 is primarily related to local privilege escalation or denial of service on systems that utilize GNU ncurses, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access or where automated scripts/processes rely on terminal capabilities parsing. While the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation, it could be leveraged by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained limited local access to escalate privileges or disrupt services. This could affect critical infrastructure, development environments, or multi-user systems common in enterprises and public sector organizations. Given the widespread use of GNU ncurses in Linux distributions prevalent in Europe, such as Debian, Ubuntu, and Red Hat-based systems, the vulnerability could impact servers, workstations, and embedded systems. The potential for disruption is moderate, with the main risk being system instability or targeted attacks by insiders. However, the lack of remote exploitability limits the threat scope. Organizations with strict access controls and monitoring will be less affected, but those with shared user environments or less stringent local access policies may face higher risks.

1. Immediate upgrade of GNU ncurses to version 6.5-20250329 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict local access controls and auditing to limit the number of users who can execute or interact with applications using ncurses, reducing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Employ runtime protections such as stack canaries, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and non-executable stack configurations on systems to mitigate the impact of buffer overflows. 4. Regularly monitor system logs for abnormal crashes or suspicious behavior related to terminal applications that might indicate exploitation attempts. 5. For environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, consider isolating critical systems or restricting terminal access to trusted users only. 6. Integrate vulnerability scanning and patch management processes to detect and remediate outdated ncurses versions promptly. 7. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of local exploitation and the importance of maintaining updated software stacks.