CVE-2025-15467: Stack buffer overflow in CMS (Auth)EnvelopedData parsing
Issue summary: Parsing CMS AuthEnvelopedData or EnvelopedData message with
maliciously crafted AEAD parameters can trigger a stack buffer overflow.
Impact summary: A stack buffer overflow may lead to a crash, causing Denial
of Service, or potentially remote code execution.
When parsing CMS (Auth)EnvelopedData structures that use AEAD ciphers such as
AES-GCM, the IV (Initialization Vector) encoded in the ASN.1 parameters is
copied into a fixed-size stack buffer without verifying that its length fits
the destination. An attacker can supply a crafted CMS message with an
oversized IV, causing a stack-based out-of-bounds write before any
authentication or tag verification occurs.
Applications and services that parse untrusted CMS or PKCS#7 content using
AEAD ciphers (e.g., S/MIME (Auth)EnvelopedData with AES-GCM) are vulnerable.
Because the overflow occurs prior to authentication, no valid key material
is required to trigger it. While exploitability to remote code execution
depends on platform and toolchain mitigations, the stack-based write
primitive represents a severe risk.
The FIPS modules in 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3 and 3.0 are not affected by this
issue, as the CMS implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module
boundary.
OpenSSL 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3 and 3.0 are vulnerable to this issue.
OpenSSL 1.1.1 and 1.0.2 are not affected by this issue.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A malicious encrypted CMS or PKCS#7 message can overwrite memory in vulnerable OpenSSL 3.x applications before authenticity is checked. Exposed services could crash, and remote code execution may be possible depending on platform protections. No valid encryption key is required to trigger the flaw.
Executive priority
Treat as an urgent patching priority for internet-facing messaging, document-processing, gateway, and integration services that accept untrusted CMS content. Prioritize confirmed parsing exposure over systems that merely contain OpenSSL. Because triggering requires neither credentials nor valid key material, delay materially increases denial-of-service and possible code-execution risk.
Technical view
OpenSSL copies an attacker-controlled AEAD initialization vector from ASN.1 parameters into a fixed-size stack buffer without adequate length validation. This affects CMS AuthEnvelopedData and EnvelopedData parsing, including AES-GCM use cases. The resulting stack out-of-bounds write occurs before authentication or tag verification and can cause denial of service or potentially code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is highest where OpenSSL 3.0, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, or 3.6 parses untrusted CMS or PKCS#7 AEAD content, such as S/MIME messages. OpenSSL 1.1.1 and 1.0.2 are unaffected. FIPS modules are outside the vulnerable CMS implementation, but FIPS-enabled applications may still use affected non-module CMS code.
Exploitation context
The supplied record is not in CISA KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation. It references a public repository tagged as an exploit, indicating public technical material may exist, but the bundle does not establish its reliability or real-world weaponization. Remote code execution remains described as potential and platform-dependent.
Researcher notes
Key reachability conditions are entry into CMS AuthEnvelopedData or EnvelopedData parsing, AEAD parameter handling, and attacker control of the ASN.1 IV length. Assess deployment-specific compiler hardening and process privileges when estimating code-execution impact. Do not equate FIPS operation with immunity because CMS lies outside the FIPS module boundary.
Mitigation direction
Upgrade to OpenSSL 3.6.1, 3.5.5, 3.4.4, 3.3.6, or 3.0.19, matching the deployed branch.
Apply relevant operating-system or appliance vendor security updates where OpenSSL is bundled.
Temporarily restrict untrusted CMS, PKCS#7, or S/MIME AEAD processing where immediate patching is impossible.
Check downstream vendor advisories for statically linked or embedded OpenSSL copies.
Validation and detection
Inventory runtime, bundled, container, appliance, and statically linked OpenSSL versions.
Identify services that parse externally supplied CMS, PKCS#7, or S/MIME content.
Confirm patched package versions against the appropriate vendor advisory, not only the OpenSSL version string.
Review crashes in CMS parsing paths, while treating their absence as inconclusive.
Verify applications were rebuilt or restarted after library replacement where required.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-120: Exact CWE lookup
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Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
4ADP providers
39Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: pocAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
2 official scores
We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-120 · source CWE mapping
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.