{"description":"Trending threats, MITRE ATT\u0026CK coverage, and detection metadata. Fed continuously.","favicon":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/favicon-32x32.png","feed_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/tags/cve-2025-4802/feed.json","home_page_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/","icon":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/apple-touch-icon.png","items":[{"_cs_actors":[],"_cs_cpes":["cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*"],"_cs_cves":[{"cvss":7.8,"id":"CVE-2025-4802"}],"_cs_exploited":false,"_cs_has_poc":false,"_cs_poc_references":[],"_cs_products":["Gnu C Library (2.27-2.38)"],"_cs_severities":["high"],"_cs_tags":["privilege-escalation","linux","cve-2025-4802"],"_cs_type":"advisory","_cs_vendors":["Gnu"],"content_html":"\u003cp\u003eCVE-2025-4802 is a security vulnerability in the Gnu C Library (glibc) versions 2.27 through 2.38, involving improper sanitization of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable. In typical scenarios, the dynamic linker strips this variable for setuid programs to prevent library hijacking. However, binaries that are compiled statically bypass the dynamic linker entirely, meaning the variable remains active.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a vulnerable, statically linked setuid binary invokes the dlopen() function to load a shared object by name rather than an absolute path, it inadvertently respects the user-controlled LD_LIBRARY_PATH. An attacker can place a malicious shared object with a matching filename in a directory of their choosing, set the environment variable to point to that directory, and achieve arbitrary code execution with root privileges upon execution of the binary. This flaw poses a significant risk to Linux systems utilizing older glibc versions and custom setuid binaries.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"attack-chain\"\u003eAttack Chain\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker identifies a statically linked setuid-root binary on the target system that utilizes the dlopen() function.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker prepares a malicious shared object file (.so) designed to execute a root shell or payload when loaded.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker places the malicious shared object into a directory accessible by their low-privileged user account.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker sets the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable to point to the directory containing the malicious shared object.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker executes the vulnerable setuid binary.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe binary fails to sanitize the environment variable due to static linking and searches for the shared object in the attacker's path.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe binary loads and executes the attacker's malicious code instead of the legitimate library.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttacker gains full root privileges on the compromised system.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"impact\"\u003eImpact\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuccessful exploitation of CVE-2025-4802 results in local privilege escalation, allowing an unprivileged user to execute code as root. This vulnerability affects a wide range of Linux distributions utilizing glibc 2.27 through 2.38. If exploited, an attacker could compromise system integrity, access sensitive data, or establish persistence at the highest privilege level on the affected host.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendation\"\u003eRecommendation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrioritized actions for security teams:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatch glibc on all vulnerable systems to a version greater than 2.38 as a priority.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAudit custom setuid binaries within the environment to identify those statically linked that utilize dlopen().\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnforce the use of absolute paths for all calls to dlopen() in existing codebases to prevent library hijacking.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefactor applications to drop privileges before calling dynamic loading functions if possible.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApply compiler hardening flags and avoid setuid bits on binaries where alternative privilege management (e.g., capabilities) can be used.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-08-29T16:46:34Z","date_published":"2026-08-29T16:46:34Z","id":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-08-cve-2025-4802-glibc-privesc/","summary":"A local privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2025-4802) in Gnu C Library (glibc) versions 2.27-2.38 allows attackers to gain root access by exploiting unsanitized LD_LIBRARY_PATH in statically linked setuid binaries.","title":"Privilege Escalation in Gnu C Library via CVE-2025-4802","url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2026-08-cve-2025-4802-glibc-privesc/"}],"language":"en","title":"CraftedSignal Threat Feed - Cve-2025-4802","version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1"}