CVE-2025-7007 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability classified under CWE-476, affecting Avast Antivirus versions 16.0.0 on macOS and 3.0.3 on Linux. The vulnerability manifests when the antivirus engine attempts to scan a malformed Windows Portable Executable (PE) file. Due to improper handling of null pointers during the parsing or scanning process, the antivirus process crashes, resulting in a denial of service condition. The crash can disrupt antivirus protection, potentially allowing malware to evade detection temporarily. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and user interaction, as the malicious file must be scanned by the antivirus. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 (AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates a high severity with complex attack conditions but significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable process. No public exploits are known, but the potential for exploitation exists, especially in environments where users might open or transfer malicious PE files. The lack of a current patch increases risk, emphasizing the need for monitoring and mitigation. This vulnerability affects Avast Antivirus installations on macOS and Linux, which are commonly used in enterprise environments for endpoint protection.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily through denial of service of antivirus protection, which can lead to temporary exposure to malware and potential compromise of sensitive data. The crash of the antivirus process can degrade endpoint security, allowing attackers to bypass detection or disrupt security operations. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all impacted due to the potential for malware to execute undetected or for security monitoring to be impaired. Organizations relying on Avast Antivirus on macOS and Linux endpoints, especially those handling Windows PE files (e.g., cross-platform development, file sharing, or email gateways), are at increased risk. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government in Europe could face operational disruptions or data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The requirement for user interaction and local access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments with less controlled endpoint usage. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but vigilance is necessary given the high impact potential.

1. Immediately monitor Avast Antivirus processes on macOS and Linux endpoints for crashes or abnormal behavior during file scanning. 2. Restrict or block scanning of untrusted or unknown Windows PE files, especially those received from external sources or via email, to reduce exposure. 3. Implement strict endpoint security policies limiting user ability to scan or execute untrusted files. 4. Use application whitelisting to prevent execution of unknown or suspicious PE files. 5. Deploy network-level protections to detect and block delivery of malformed PE files. 6. Coordinate with Avast for timely patch deployment once available; maintain communication with vendor security advisories. 7. Consider temporary alternative antivirus solutions or layered defenses on critical systems until patches are applied. 8. Educate users about the risks of opening unknown files and encourage reporting of antivirus crashes. 9. Conduct regular security audits and endpoint monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. 10. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify anomalous behavior related to antivirus failures or malware activity.