CVE-2022-40655 in NIS-Elements Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer 1.2100.1483.0. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of ND2 files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-15071.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
This vulnerability in NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer 1.2100.1483.0 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that enables remote code execution through malicious ND2 file manipulation. The flaw resides in the application's file parsing mechanism specifically when handling ND2 (Nikon Digital Negative) files used for scientific imaging data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the processing of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow a fixed-size heap buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a serious memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The exploitation requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted malicious file, making this a targeted attack vector that relies on social engineering elements. The attack surface is limited to systems running the vulnerable NIS-Elements Viewer application, particularly those that might encounter ND2 files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability operates by manipulating the length field in ND2 file structures, causing the application to copy more data than the allocated buffer can accommodate. This overflow occurs during the parsing phase when the application attempts to process the ND2 file format, which is commonly used in microscopy and scientific imaging applications.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process, potentially escalating privileges if the application runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability can be leveraged for persistent access, data exfiltration, or further network compromise, particularly in research environments where scientific imaging software is commonly deployed. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a pathway for remote code execution and potential privilege elevation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable application to the latest version that addresses the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and restrict access to ND2 file processing from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of the vulnerable software. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening suspicious files from unknown sources, as the attack requires user interaction. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated imaging software installations, particularly in research and laboratory environments where such applications may be deployed without proper security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in scientific software applications that handle complex file formats.