CVE-2025-61662 is a Use-After-Free vulnerability identified in the gettext module of GRUB, the bootloader used by Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10. The vulnerability arises from a programming error where the gettext command remains registered in memory even after its module has been unloaded. This results in a dangling pointer scenario where invoking the orphaned command causes GRUB to access invalid memory locations. An attacker with local access can exploit this flaw to trigger a crash of the GRUB bootloader, leading to a Denial of Service condition that prevents the system from booting properly. Although the primary impact is on availability, the possibility of data integrity or confidentiality compromise cannot be completely excluded due to the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.9, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability affects Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 installations that use GRUB with the vulnerable gettext module, and it is critical for system administrators to monitor for patches and updates from Red Hat. The flaw is particularly relevant in environments where local access to the bootloader is possible, such as multi-user systems or environments with physical access risks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-61662 is the potential for Denial of Service at the bootloader level, which can cause system downtime and disrupt business operations. This is especially critical for enterprises relying on RHEL 10 for critical infrastructure, servers, or cloud environments where availability is paramount. Although the vulnerability does not currently have known exploits, the possibility of memory corruption leading to data integrity or confidentiality issues means organizations should not dismiss the risk. Systems that allow local access to the bootloader, such as shared hosting environments, data centers with less physical security, or development/test environments, are more vulnerable. The medium severity rating indicates moderate risk, but the impact on availability can have cascading effects on service delivery and compliance with European data protection regulations if downtime affects critical services. Organizations with strict uptime requirements or those operating in sectors like finance, healthcare, or government should consider this vulnerability a priority for remediation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-61662, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Apply patches and updates from Red Hat as soon as they become available to address the vulnerability in the GRUB gettext module. 2) Restrict local access to systems running RHEL 10, especially to the bootloader interface, by enforcing strong physical security controls and limiting console access to authorized personnel only. 3) Implement bootloader password protection to prevent unauthorized invocation of GRUB commands. 4) Regularly audit and monitor system logs for unusual bootloader activity or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Use secure boot mechanisms and integrity verification tools to detect unauthorized modifications to boot components. 6) In virtualized or cloud environments, ensure hypervisor and management interfaces are secured to prevent local access escalation. 7) Educate system administrators about the risks of local access vulnerabilities and enforce strict access control policies. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the unique attack vector and exploitation conditions of this vulnerability.