CVE-2022-40661 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 BMP images. 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-15134.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
CVE-2022-40661 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer version 1.2100.1483.0, classified under CWE-129 as improper validation of the length of user-supplied data. This vulnerability exists within the BMP image parsing functionality of the software, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can be copied to a heap-based buffer without adequate size validation. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted BMP files, allowing an attacker to manipulate the buffer length parameter during data copying operations. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning a target must either visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted BMP file containing malicious payload data. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on compromised systems. The buffer overflow occurs in the heap memory management section of the application, where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently running process. The vulnerability's exploitation capability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and memory boundary checks during BMP file processing. This allows attackers to craft malicious image files that, when opened by the vulnerable viewer, trigger the buffer overflow condition and enable remote code execution. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. Organizations using NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer should prioritize immediate patching or mitigation strategies, as the vulnerability affects a specialized scientific imaging application commonly used in research and industrial environments where security controls may be less stringent than in enterprise settings. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that has been addressed through proper buffer length validation and input sanitization practices, which are fundamental requirements for secure software development as outlined in industry standards and best practices.