CVE-2025-64524 identifies a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability classified under CWE-122 in the cups-filters package, specifically within the rastertopclx filter component. Cups-filters is essential for enabling the CUPS printing service on operating systems other than macOS, handling backends and filters that process print jobs. In versions 2.0.1 and earlier, the rastertopclx filter improperly manages memory when processing maliciously crafted input data, leading to a heap-buffer-overflow condition. This overflow causes the program to crash with a segmentation fault, indicating memory corruption. While the immediate effect is a denial of service, the memory corruption could be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction, limiting the attack vector. The vulnerability has been addressed in a patch identified by commit 956283c, which corrects the memory handling flaw. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting low severity due to the attack vector being local and the impact limited to availability, with no confidentiality or integrity loss. No public exploits have been reported to date, but the vulnerability remains a risk in unpatched environments.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-64524 lies in potential denial of service and the risk of local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within printing services. Organizations relying on Linux or Unix-like systems with cups-filters versions 2.0.1 or earlier are vulnerable. Disruption of printing services could affect business operations, especially in sectors with high printing demands such as government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Although the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or compromised internal systems could exploit it to escalate privileges or disrupt availability. The lack of confidentiality and integrity impact reduces the risk of data breaches directly from this flaw, but the possibility of arbitrary code execution elevates the threat if combined with other vulnerabilities. The absence of known exploits in the wild lowers immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for remediation. European organizations with strict compliance requirements should prioritize patching to maintain operational security and service availability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-64524, European organizations should: 1) Immediately update cups-filters to the latest patched version beyond 2.0.1 where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Restrict local access to printing servers and systems running cups-filters, enforcing strict access controls and user permissions to minimize exposure. 3) Monitor printing service logs for unusual crashes or segmentation faults that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and prevent unauthorized code execution on systems running cups-filters. 5) Conduct regular vulnerability scans and audits to identify outdated cups-filters installations. 6) Educate system administrators about the vulnerability and the importance of applying patches promptly. 7) Consider isolating printing services in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and network segmentation tailored to the printing service environment.