CVE-2022-40658 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 TIF images. Crafted data in a TIF file can trigger a write 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-15166.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer version 1.2100.1483.0, specifically within the TIF image parsing functionality. The issue stems from inadequate input validation during the processing of TIF image files, where the application fails to properly bounds-check data structures when handling crafted TIF payloads. This deficiency creates a condition where maliciously constructed TIF files can cause the application to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer, leading to potential code execution. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-121, which categorizes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted TIF file, making it a client-side exploitation vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the NIS-Elements Viewer application processes a malicious TIF file containing crafted data structures that trigger the buffer overflow condition. During TIF parsing operations, the application allocates memory for image data but fails to validate the size or structure of the incoming TIF metadata, particularly in the image directory entries or IFD (Image File Directory) structures. When the parser encounters malformed TIF data, it proceeds to write beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program memory including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the current user process. The vulnerability's impact is significant as it allows for arbitrary code execution without requiring elevated privileges, though the execution context remains limited to the application's user session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity threats. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the user's privileges and system configuration. The vulnerability affects users who regularly handle TIF image files, particularly those in scientific imaging environments where NIS-Elements Viewer is commonly deployed for microscopy and image analysis tasks. The attack surface is broadened by the requirement for user interaction, making social engineering campaigns potentially effective in delivering malicious TIF files through email attachments, web downloads, or removable media. Organizations using NIKON imaging software should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image content from external sources. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that network-based attacks can be launched without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates, as well as implementing defensive measures to reduce attack surface exposure. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided security update as soon as it becomes available, which typically includes enhanced input validation and bounds checking for TIF image parsing operations. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to block suspicious TIF files, particularly those from untrusted sources or those that exhibit anomalous characteristics during file analysis. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted image files, especially those received via email or downloaded from unknown websites. Additional defensive measures include restricting user privileges when handling image files, implementing application whitelisting policies to control which applications can process TIF files, and deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate image processing operations from core system functions. The vulnerability's nature as a buffer overflow makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming or stack pivoting, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive mitigation approaches that address both the immediate flaw and potential exploitation vectors.