CVE-2025-7048 is a vulnerability identified in Arista Networks EOS operating system, specifically impacting platforms configured with MACsec (Media Access Control Security). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-805, which relates to buffer access with incorrect length values, potentially leading to memory corruption or process termination. In this case, a specially crafted network packet can cause the MACsec process to terminate unexpectedly. MACsec is used to provide secure communication on Ethernet links by encrypting and authenticating data at Layer 2, so its disruption can impact the confidentiality and availability of network traffic. The vulnerability affects multiple EOS versions from 4.31.0 to 4.34.3.0. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction and can be performed remotely by sending malicious packets to the device. The CVSS v4.0 score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited impact on confidentiality and integrity but a notable impact on availability due to potential dataplane disruption. Continuous receipt of these crafted packets can cause prolonged disruption of network traffic, impacting network stability and service availability. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. This vulnerability primarily threatens the availability of network infrastructure relying on MACsec on Arista EOS devices, which are commonly deployed in data centers and enterprise networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the availability and stability of critical network infrastructure that uses Arista EOS with MACsec configurations. Disruption of the MACsec process can lead to loss of encrypted data flows, potentially causing network outages or degraded performance. This can affect data centers, cloud service providers, telecommunications operators, and enterprises relying on Arista EOS for secure Layer 2 connectivity. The impact is particularly significant for sectors requiring high network availability and security, such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Prolonged disruption could lead to operational downtime, loss of productivity, and potential regulatory compliance issues related to data protection and network security. Although no known exploits are in the wild, the ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required) means attackers could leverage this vulnerability in targeted denial-of-service attacks against European networks. Organizations with extensive Arista EOS deployments should prioritize detection and mitigation to maintain network resilience.

1. Monitor network devices for unexpected MACsec process terminations or crashes, using centralized logging and network management tools to detect anomalies. 2. Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Arista EOS devices to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface. 3. Restrict and monitor traffic to MACsec-enabled interfaces, applying filtering rules to detect and block malformed or suspicious packets targeting MACsec. 4. Engage with Arista Networks support to obtain patches or firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-7048 as soon as they become available. 5. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on network infrastructure to identify potential exploitation attempts. 6. Develop and test incident response plans specifically for network device failures and denial-of-service scenarios affecting MACsec. 7. Consider deploying redundant network paths and failover mechanisms to maintain availability in case of MACsec process disruption. 8. Keep device firmware and software up to date with the latest security releases beyond this vulnerability to reduce overall risk.