CVE-2025-66646
Riot-os Riot NULL pointer dereference
- Published17 Dec 2025
Description
RIOT is an open-source microcontroller operating system, designed to match the requirements of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other embedded devices. A vulnerability was discovered in the IPv6 fragmentation reassembly implementation of RIOT OS v2025.07. When receiving an fragmented IPv6 packet with fragment offset 0 and an empty payload, the payload pointer is set to NULL. However, the implementation still tries to copy the payload into the reassembly buffer, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference which crashes the OS (DoS). To trigger the vulnerability, the `gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag` module must be enabled and the attacker must be able to send arbitrary IPv6 packets to the victim. RIOT OS v2025.10 fixes the issue.
CVSS 3.1 breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HAffected products
Remediation
References
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L411
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L420
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L490
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L532
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L534
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/ext/frag/gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag.c#L544
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/blob/eb65305cf9f1b7affb50b17af5c12341b83a8636/sys/net/gnrc/pktbuf_static/gnrc_pktbuf_static.c#L150C1-L150C76
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/releases/tag/2025.10
- https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT/security/advisories/GHSA-v8gx-q9m6-5xm9
- https://github.com/user-attachments/files/23903992/reproducer_1.zip
Related CVEs
Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.
Frequently asked
Is CVE-2025-66646 being actively exploited?
CVE-2025-66646 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. A public exploit reference exists, so treat it as exploitable. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.68%.
How severe is CVE-2025-66646?
CVE-2025-66646 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, rated high. EPSS estimates a 0.68% probability of exploitation.
Which products are affected by CVE-2025-66646?
Affected products include Riot-os Riot.
How do I fix CVE-2025-66646?
Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Riot-os Riot 2025.10 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.
How Secuno handles this
Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-66646 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.
Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.