Vulnerability in Netty Framework Affects Versions Prior to 4.1.118.Final

CVE-2025-24970

What is CVE-2025-24970?

CVE-2025-24970 is a vulnerability found in the Netty Framework, a widely used asynchronous and event-driven network application framework designed for building high-performance network applications. This vulnerability affects versions of Netty prior to 4.1.118.Final. The flaw allows specially crafted packets to be sent via the SslHandler, leading to improper validation handling and potentially causing a native crash. Organizations relying on this framework could face significant disruptions and downtime, compromising application availability and impacting critical services.

Technical Details

This vulnerability originates from the incorrect handling of packet validation within the SslHandler component of the Netty Framework. Specifically, it affects versions starting from 4.1.91.Final up to, but not including, 4.1.118.Final. The flaw could be exploited when a malicious actor sends crafted packets which the system fails to validate properly. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to version 4.1.118.Final or employing workarounds such as disabling the native SSLEngine or modifying the code manually to enhance validation processes.

Potential Impact of CVE-2025-24970

1. Service Disruption: The vulnerability can lead to native crashes in applications utilizing the affected versions of the Netty Framework, resulting in unexpected downtime and service interruptions for organizations.

2. Increased Attack Surface: The existence of this vulnerability may provide threat actors with a potential entry point for further exploitation, increasing the risk of subsequent attacks on the network and systems.

3. Reputational Damage: Organizations may suffer from reputational harm if their services are compromised or unavailable due to this vulnerability, which can impact customer trust and overall business operations.

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