CVE-2025-69651 is a vulnerability found in GNU Binutils readelf utility versions through 2.46. The issue stems from improper handling of malformed ELF binaries with corrupted relocation or symbol data. Specifically, when dump_relocations encounters parsing errors, it may return prematurely, leaving the internal all_relocations array partially uninitialized. Later, the function process_got_section_contents() attempts to free the r_symbol pointer associated with relocation entries. Because the array is partially uninitialized, this pointer can be invalid, leading to an invalid free operation. This triggers memory corruption detection mechanisms in glibc, causing readelf to abort with a SIGABRT signal. The vulnerability results in a denial of service by crashing the readelf process. Importantly, no further memory corruption or arbitrary code execution has been observed, limiting the impact to availability. The flaw is exploitable by providing a crafted ELF binary to readelf, which is commonly used for inspecting ELF files on Unix-like systems. No authentication or user interaction beyond supplying the malicious ELF file is required. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed but lacks an assigned CVSS score and patches at the time of publication.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-69651 is denial of service against the readelf utility, which can be triggered by processing a maliciously crafted ELF binary. This can disrupt workflows involving ELF binary analysis, debugging, or automated tooling that relies on readelf, potentially halting build systems, security audits, or forensic investigations. While the vulnerability does not enable code execution or data leakage, the loss of availability can delay critical operations and reduce confidence in tooling integrity. Organizations that process untrusted ELF files, such as software vendors, security researchers, and Linux distribution maintainers, are at risk of disruption. Automated systems that parse ELF files without validation may be particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the public disclosure may prompt attackers to develop denial-of-service attacks targeting development or analysis environments.

To mitigate CVE-2025-69651, organizations should first monitor for updates and patches from the GNU Binutils project and apply them promptly once available. Until patches are released, avoid processing untrusted or unauthenticated ELF binaries with readelf or related Binutils tools. Implement input validation and sandboxing measures to isolate readelf executions, limiting the impact of crashes. Employ containerization or restricted user privileges to prevent denial-of-service effects from propagating to critical systems. Consider using alternative ELF analysis tools that do not exhibit this vulnerability or have been verified as patched. Integrate static analysis or fuzz testing in development pipelines to detect malformed ELF files before they reach production tooling. Finally, maintain robust logging and monitoring to detect abnormal readelf terminations indicative of exploitation attempts.