CVE-2025-62608
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in MLX is an array framework for machine learning on Apple silicon
Executive Summary
CVE-2025-62608 is a critical severity vulnerability affecting binary-analysis. It is classified as Heap-based Buffer Overflow. Ensure your systems and dependencies are patched immediately to mitigate exposure risks.
Precogs AI Insight
"MLX (machine learning array framework for Apple silicon) contains a vulnerability (e.g., buffer overflow or unsafe memory access). Attackers provide crafted machine learning models or array data that triggers memory corruption during evaluation, leading to code execution. Precogs Binary SAST explicitly uncovers missing boundary checks in mathematical processing libraries."
What is this vulnerability?
CVE-2025-62608 is categorized as a critical Heap-based Buffer Overflow flaw with a CVSS base score of 9.1. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.
MLX is an array framework for machine learning on Apple silicon. Prior to version 0.29.4, there is a heap buffer overflow in mlx::core::load() when parsing malicious NumPy .npy files. Attacker-controlled file causes 13-byte out-of-bounds read, leading to crash or information disclosure. This issue has been patched in version 0.29.4.
This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.
Risk Assessment
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CVSS Base Score | 9.1 (CRITICAL) |
| Vector String | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H |
| Published | November 21, 2025 |
| Last Modified | December 2, 2025 |
| Related CWEs | CWE-122 |
Impact on Systems
✅ Remote Code Execution: Attackers can overwrite the instruction pointer to redirect execution to malicious shellcode.
✅ Memory Corruption: Overwriting adjacent memory regions can corrupt critical application state, leading to privilege escalation.
✅ Denial of Service: Triggering segmentation faults results in immediate disruption of critical systems.
How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2025-62608
- Apply Vendor Patches: Upgrade affected components to their latest, non-vulnerable versions immediately.
- Implement Input Validation: Ensure all user-supplied data is validated, sanitized, and type-checked before processing.
- Deploy Runtime Protection: Use Precogs continuous monitoring to detect exploitation attempts in real time.
- Audit Dependencies: Review and update all third-party libraries and transitive dependencies.
Defending with Precogs AI
MLX (machine learning array framework for Apple silicon) contains a vulnerability (e.g., buffer overflow or unsafe memory access). Attackers provide crafted machine learning models or array data that triggers memory corruption during evaluation, leading to code execution. Precogs Binary SAST explicitly uncovers missing boundary checks in mathematical processing libraries.
Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.
Vulnerability Code Signature
Attack Data Flow
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Network packet or file input |
| Vector | Data exceeds the allocated buffer bounds during a copy operation on the heap |
| Sink | strcpy(), memcpy(), or pointer arithmetic |
| Impact | Memory corruption, Remote Code Execution (RCE) |
Vulnerable Code Pattern
// ❌ VULNERABLE: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
void process_data(char *input) {
char *buffer = malloc(64);
// Taint sink: copies without bounds checking
strcpy(buffer, input);
}
Secure Code Pattern
// ✅ SECURE: Bounded copy
void process_data(char *input) {
char *buffer = malloc(64);
if (buffer != NULL) {
// Sanitized boundary check
strncpy(buffer, input, 63);
buffer[63] = '\0';
}
}
How Precogs Detects This
Precogs Binary SAST engine explicitly uncovers memory boundary violations and unsafe memory management functions in compiled binaries.\n