CVE-2025-7519 is a vulnerability in polkit, a system service used for managing authorizations in Unix-like operating systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. The flaw arises when polkit processes XML policy files containing 32 or more nested elements, triggering an out-of-bounds write. This memory corruption can lead to a system crash or other unpredictable behavior, and there is a possibility of arbitrary code execution, although exploitation requires placing a malicious policy file by a high-privilege user. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require elevated privileges to exploit, limiting the attack surface. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.7 reflects a medium severity, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to the potential for code execution and system compromise. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability's nature suggests that if exploited, it could allow attackers to escalate privileges or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability affects Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, a widely used enterprise OS in Europe, particularly in sectors relying on secure policy management. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, especially those relying on polkit for authorization management. Successful exploitation could lead to system crashes, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution, compromising system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where system stability and security are paramount. The requirement for high-privilege access to deploy the malicious policy file limits remote exploitation but raises concerns about insider threats or compromised administrative accounts. Disruption or compromise of these systems could lead to data breaches, operational downtime, and loss of trust. Given the widespread use of Red Hat Enterprise Linux in European enterprise environments, the vulnerability could have broad implications if not addressed promptly.

European organizations should immediately audit and restrict access to directories where polkit policy files are stored to prevent unauthorized modifications. Implement strict access controls and monitoring for high-privilege accounts to detect suspicious activity. Apply any available patches from Red Hat as soon as they are released. In the absence of patches, consider deploying temporary mitigations such as disabling or limiting polkit functionality where feasible, or using mandatory access control frameworks like SELinux to restrict polkit's capabilities. Regularly review and validate XML policy files for abnormal nesting depths to detect potential malicious files. Employ intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual system crashes or behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Conduct thorough privilege management and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the risk of high-privilege account compromise.