CVE-2025-9174 is a medium severity vulnerability identified in the neurobin shc tool, versions up to 4.0.3. The vulnerability resides in the 'make' function within the src/shc.c file, specifically in the Filename Handler component. An attacker with local access can manipulate inputs to trigger an OS command injection. This means that crafted input can cause the execution of arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the user running the shc process. The vulnerability requires local access and low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction, and has low complexity (AC:L). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but present, as the attacker can execute commands locally, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement if combined with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but there are no known exploits in the wild at this time. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, reflecting a medium severity rating. The vulnerability does not require network access, nor does it require user interaction, but it does require local access and some privileges. The scope is limited to the local system where shc is installed and used. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, so mitigation may rely on workarounds or restricting access.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-9174 depends largely on the deployment of neurobin shc within their environments. shc is a shell script compiler that converts shell scripts into executable binaries, often used for protecting scripts or simplifying deployment. Organizations using shc in development, automation, or production environments could be at risk if attackers gain local access to affected systems. The OS command injection vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or disruption of services. Although the attack requires local access, insider threats or attackers who have already compromised user accounts could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or move laterally within networks. This could be particularly impactful in sectors with sensitive data or critical infrastructure, such as finance, healthcare, or government agencies in Europe. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but the public disclosure means attackers could develop exploits. The medium severity rating suggests moderate risk, but organizations should not ignore the vulnerability, especially if shc is widely used internally.

1. Restrict local access to systems running neurobin shc to trusted users only, employing strict access controls and monitoring. 2. Implement robust user privilege management to ensure that users running shc have the minimum necessary permissions, reducing the impact of potential exploitation. 3. Monitor and audit usage of shc binaries and related processes for unusual behavior or command execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. If possible, avoid using vulnerable versions of shc (4.0.0 to 4.0.3) until a patch is released. Consider alternative tools or methods for script protection or compilation. 5. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect suspicious command execution or process spawning related to shc. 6. Keep systems updated and subscribe to vendor advisories for timely patching once a fix is available. 7. Educate local users and administrators about the risks of executing untrusted scripts or binaries and the importance of maintaining system hygiene.