Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a GRUB2 bootloader memory-safety flaw. In affected Red Hat systems, a local attacker could trigger use of freed memory in the normal module, causing a crash and possibly limited confidentiality or integrity impact. It is not reported as actively exploited in the supplied sources.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate boot-chain hygiene issue, not an emergency internet-facing incident. Patch through normal vendor update channels, with higher priority for exposed, shared, or sensitive systems where local boot access is plausible.
Technical view
The normal_exit command is not properly unregistered when its related GRUB2 normal module unloads. The stale command reference can be used after the module is removed, creating a use-after-free condition. CVSS 3.1 is 4.9, local attack vector, high complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with low C/I/A impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to systems using affected Red Hat GRUB2 packages: RHEL 7, 8, 9, 10, and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 via RHCOS. The source bundle does not provide precise fixed package versions.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV status or confirmed active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation is local and high complexity. Practical risk is higher where attackers can reach the bootloader environment or tamper with local boot workflows.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a GRUB2 normal module use-after-free tied to command unregistration failure. The bundle names affected Red Hat products and gives CVSS details, but does not include fixed versions, public exploit evidence, or operational workarounds beyond vendor tracking.
Mitigation direction
- Monitor Red Hat CVE guidance and errata for fixed grub2 or rhcos packages.
- Apply vendor-provided GRUB2 or RHCOS updates when available.
- Prioritize systems with local console, shared-host, or boot-chain exposure.
- Maintain physical, firmware, and bootloader access controls.
- Check GNU GRUB development references for upstream remediation context.
Validation and detection
- Inventory RHEL 7, 8, 9, 10, and OpenShift 4 RHCOS assets.
- Compare installed grub2 or rhcos packages with Red Hat advisory status.
- Confirm whether bootloader updates require regeneration or reboot per vendor guidance.
- Review local access controls for bootloader interaction paths.
- Track vulnerability scanner findings against Red Hat package metadata.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-825: Exact CWE lookup
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.
Open ATT&CK lookupContainer behavior lookup
The affected technology mentions containers, so container-specific ATT&CK technique review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-61664 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L1.43.4redhatVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.9MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- Source timelineredhat
Reported to Red Hat.
- Source timelineredhat
Made public.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-61664CVE reference, redhat · vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHBZ#2414685CVE reference, redhat · issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/grub-devel/2025-11/msg00155.htmlCVE reference, redhat
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Expired Pointer Dereference
Expired Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.