A critical SUSE security update addresses CVE-2025-14104, a heap buffer overread vulnerability in util-linux's setpwnam() function affecting SUSE Linux Micro 6.0. This advisory provides a deep technical analysis of the flaw, its CVSS v3.1/v4.0 scores, potential for local information disclosure and system instability, and step-by-step patching instructions via zypper to ensure enterprise Linux security and compliance.
The integrity of your SUSE Linux Micro 6.0 deployments hinges on proactive vulnerability management.
On February 12, 2026, SUSE released a critical security update (SUSE-SU-2026:20346-1) addressing a moderate-severity flaw in the fundamental util-linux package.
This update resolves CVE-2025-14104, a heap buffer overread vulnerability that could be exploited locally, leading to information disclosure and system instability.
For IT administrators and security teams managing immutable infrastructures, understanding and applying this patch is paramount.
The Anatomy of the Flaw: CVE-2025-14104
This security advisory targets a specific vulnerability within the util-linux suite, a collection of essential utilities for Linux systems. The flaw resides in the setpwnam() function, a component responsible for manipulating password file entries.
The Vulnerability: An improper bounds check in
setpwnam()can lead to a heap buffer overread when processing specially crafted, 256-byte usernames. This programming error allows an attacker to read adjacent memory locations beyond the intended buffer.
Potential Impact: While the attack vector is local (AV:L) and requires low privileges (PR:L), its consequences are significant. Successful exploitation could result in:
Information Disclosure (Confidentiality Impact: Low): An attacker could potentially read sensitive data fragments from heap memory, such as file handles, passwords, or cryptographic keys from other processes.
Denial of Service (Availability Impact: High): The overread can cause the application or system to crash, leading to significant service disruption.
CVSS Scores: The vulnerability has been assigned the following scores, reflecting its risk profile:
NVD & SUSE (CVSS 3.1): 6.1 (Medium) -
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:HSUSE (CVSS 4.0): 6.9 (Medium) -
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
What is a Heap Buffer Overread?
Imagine a program has a precisely sized box (the buffer) on a shelf (the heap) to hold a username. A buffer overread occurs when the program, due to a logic error, tries to read information from outside that box. It might accidentally read the labels on neighboring boxes, potentially exposing information it shouldn't. This flaw can lead to crashes or data leaks.
Affected Systems and Enhanced Functionality
The update is specifically targeted at SUSE Linux Micro 6.0, a modern, immutable operating system designed for containerized and edge workloads. This focus makes the update critical for environments running Rancher or other container management platforms.
In addition to the security fix, this update introduces a feature enhancement:
lscpu Enhancement: Adds support for the NVIDIA Olympus Arm64 core. This ensures that systems utilizing these high-performance processors can accurately display CPU architecture information using the
lscpucommand, which is vital for system administration and performance monitoring.
Strategic Patch Management for Enterprise Linux
For system administrators, failing to patch CVE-2025-14104 could mean leaving a door open for local privilege escalation or reconnaissance attacks that precede larger breaches. Remediation is straightforward using SUSE's native tools.
Immediate Remediation Steps:
For SUSE Linux Micro 6.0, execute the following command:
zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Micro-6.0-570=1
This command invokes the
zypperpackage manager to install the specific patch set. It updates the coreutil-linuxpackages to version2.39.3-4.1and its associated libraries (libmount1,libblkid1, etc.), effectively neutralizing the heap overread vulnerability.
Package Integrity and Verification
Post-patching, administrators can verify the installation of the updated packages. The following components are updated to version 2.39.3-4.1 on aarch64, s390x, and x86_64 architectures:
util-linux-2.39.3-4.1util-linux-systemd-2.39.3-4.1libblkid1-2.39.3-4.1libmount1-2.39.3-4.1libfdisk1-2.39.3-4.1libsmartcols1-2.39.3-4.1libuuid1-2.39.3-4.1
(Debuginfo and debugsource packages are also available for developers needing deep introspection.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) affected by CVE-2025-14104?
A: According to the official advisory, the affected product is specifically SUSE Linux Micro 6.0. Administrators of other SUSE distributions should check their specific security bulletins.Q: Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?
A: No. The CVSS vector confirms the attack vector is Local (AV:L). An attacker must already have local access to the system, either via a shell or by tricking a local user or process into executing malicious code.Q: How long does it take to apply this patch?
A: The update process viazypper is typically very fast, often completing in under a minute, as the package sizes are relatively small. However, some services or a system reboot might be required for the changes to take full effect, depending on your system configuration.Conclusion: Maintaining a Hardened Linux Posture
Staying current with security advisories is a cornerstone of maintaining a robust and trustworthy IT infrastructure.
The release of SUSE-SU-2026:20346-1 underscores the ongoing need to address even moderate-severity flaws that can compromise system stability and data confidentiality.
By promptly applying this util-linux update, organizations can effectively mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-14104 and ensure their SUSE Linux Micro 6.0 environments remain both secure and high-performing.
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