---
title: "CVE-2025-6545: pbkdf2 returns predictable uninitialized/zero-filled memory for non-normalized or unimplemented algos"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2025-6545/
description: "CVE-2025-6545 (pbkdf2 (npm)): Improper Input Validation vulnerability in pbkdf2 allows Signature Spoofing by Improper Validation. This vulnerability is…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2025-06-23
date_modified: 2025-06-23
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2025-6545"
kev: false
cvss: 9.1
epss: 0.00447
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2025-6545: pbkdf2 returns predictable uninitialized/zero-filled memory for non-normalized or unimplemented algos

**Signal:** Critical and remotely reachable. No known exploitation yet, but it is network-reachable without credentials. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Not in CISA KEV , but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
- EPSS 0.4% , percentile 38: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.4% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 38% of all scored CVEs (low). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes pbkdf2 (npm) >= 3.0.10, <= 3.1.2, fixed in 3.1.3 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

Improper Input Validation vulnerability in pbkdf2 allows Signature Spoofing by Improper Validation. This vulnerability is associated with program files lib/to-buffer.Js. This issue affects pbkdf2: from 3.0.10 through 3.1.2.

## Affected packages

- npm `pbkdf2` >= 3.0.10, <= 3.1.2 → fixed: 3.1.3

## Affected products (CVE record)

-  pbkdf2: 3.0.10 <= 3.1.2

## Severity

- harborist CVSS 4.0: 9.1 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H`
- GitHub CVSS 4.0: 9.1 `CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc , automatable no , technical impact partial .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.45% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 38.

## Sources

- [github.com](https://github.com/browserify/pbkdf2/commit/e3102a8cd4830a3ac85cd0dd011cc002fdde33bb)
- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-h7cp-r72f-jxh6](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h7cp-r72f-jxh6)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2025-6545](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-6545)
- [NVD entry CVE-2025-6545](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-6545)
- [github.com](https://github.com/browserify/pbkdf2/security/advisories/GHSA-h7cp-r72f-jxh6)
- [github.com](https://github.com/browserify/pbkdf2/commit/9699045c37a07f8319cfb8d44e2ff4252d7a7078)

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Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2025-6545/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt