# CVE-2025-14104: util-linux heap buffer overread in setpwnam function

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-14104-util-linux-heap-buffer-overread-in-setpwnam-function  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2025-12-05. Updated: 2026-06-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-14104 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.1 · Published 2025-12-05

A security vulnerability has been identified in util-linux, a core set of tools used by Linux operating systems for basic tasks like logging in and managing disks. An attacker with local access to a system could exploit this flaw to cause a system crash or potentially access restricted memory. This could disrupt operations or lead to a denial of service on affected servers and workstations.

Technologies: [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-10), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-8), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-9). Vendors: [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-14104 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-14104 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-14104?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.1, published 5 December 2025.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 < 2.40.2-15.el10_1; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 < 2.32.1-48.el8_10; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 < 2.37.4-21.el9_7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-14104?** A patch was published on 2026-02-02: Red Hat released patches for RHEL 10 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2025-14104 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-14104?** Check whether you run Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A heap buffer overread vulnerability (CWE-125) exists in the util-linux package within the setpwnam() function. The flaw is triggered when the utility processes specially crafted 256-byte usernames while writing to the password database. This affects SUID (Set User ID) login-utils, which run with elevated privileges. A local, authenticated attacker can exploit this to read sensitive information from heap memory or cause a denial of service (crash). The issue is addressed in util-linux version 2.41.3 and various Red Hat Enterprise Linux package updates.

## Affected products

- util-linux util-linux < 2.41.3
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 < 2.32.1-48.el8_10
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 < 2.37.4-21.el9_7
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 < 2.40.2-15.el10_1

## Timeline

- 2025-12-05: advisory: Initial NVD publication date
- 2026-02-02: patched: Red Hat released patches for RHEL 10
- 2026-02-03: patched: Red Hat released patches for RHEL 8

## References

- [https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux](https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux)
- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)
- [https://catalog.redhat.com/software/containers/](https://catalog.redhat.com/software/containers/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1696](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1696)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1852](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1852)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1913](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:1913)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2485](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:2485)

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