CVE-2022-40656 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 13.2.0.21165. 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. Crafted data in a ND2 file can trigger a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-15072.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40656 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer version 13.2.0.21165 application. This security weakness specifically manifests during the processing of ND2 files, which are proprietary image formats commonly used in scientific imaging applications. The flaw exists in the file parsing mechanism that handles ND2 file structures, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the application's memory operations through carefully crafted input data. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is classified as a buffer over-read condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during ND2 file parsing operations. When the NIS-Elements Viewer encounters a malformed ND2 file containing crafted data, the application's parsing routine fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before accessing memory regions. This allows an attacker to construct an ND2 file with malicious content that causes the application to read data beyond the allocated buffer space. The read past the end of buffer condition occurs because the parser does not implement proper input validation or boundary checks, enabling memory access violations that can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability is categorized as CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and represents a classic example of unsafe memory handling in file processing components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate within the security context of the currently running process. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables remote code execution without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for users who might encounter malicious ND2 files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network locations. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution," which describes how adversaries can leverage vulnerabilities in applications to execute malicious code. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for scientific and research environments where users frequently exchange image files and may not be security-savvy regarding file validation practices.
Organizations and individuals using NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates as soon as they become available, as this represents the most effective protection against exploitation. Until patches are deployed, users should exercise extreme caution when handling ND2 files from untrusted sources, implement strict file validation procedures, and consider isolating the application in a restricted environment. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and email filtering systems can help prevent the delivery of malicious ND2 files to target systems. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file processing activities or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in file parsing components and highlights the need for regular security assessments of scientific imaging software used in research environments where such applications may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data.