CVE-2022-40662 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 image 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-15351.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
This vulnerability resides within the NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer application version 1.2100.1483.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through crafted TIF image files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of Tagged Image File Format (TIF) images, creating a buffer overread condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes malformed TIF image data, allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This issue falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system crashes, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that targets must either visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted TIF file to trigger the malicious code execution sequence. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute code within the context of the current process, potentially gaining full control over the affected system. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries use malicious files to execute code on target systems through legitimate software applications. This particular vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-15351, indicating its recognition within the zero-day initiative database and highlighting the urgency of addressing such flaws in widely used scientific imaging software. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as the vulnerability affects a specialized application used in scientific research and microscopy environments where users may be less security-aware and more likely to open image files from untrusted sources. The buffer overread condition in TIF image parsing creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data exfiltration scenarios. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where network-based attacks are common, as attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web pages or email attachments without requiring physical access to the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate the size and structure of TIF image headers and metadata fields. When processing a maliciously crafted TIF file, the parsing routine attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer space, causing unpredictable behavior that can be controlled by attackers. This type of vulnerability commonly occurs in applications that handle image formats without proper bounds checking mechanisms, particularly in legacy software that may not have been updated to address modern security concerns. The flaw represents a classic buffer overread scenario where the application's memory management routines do not adequately verify the integrity of input data before accessing memory locations. Such vulnerabilities are particularly prevalent in multimedia processing applications that must handle various file formats with complex internal structures, as these applications often contain numerous parsing routines that can be exploited if proper input validation is not implemented. The security implications are significant as this vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks, making it accessible to attackers who may not have direct access to the target network or system. The fact that exploitation requires user interaction reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as social engineering techniques can easily convince users to open malicious files. This vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications that process untrusted data from external sources. The affected application's use in scientific and research environments increases the potential impact, as these systems often contain sensitive data and may be less frequently updated with security patches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application updates and user education to prevent exploitation. System administrators should prioritize patching the affected NIKON NIS-Elements Viewer application to the latest version that addresses this buffer overread condition. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious TIF files and suspicious web content. User awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted image files and visiting suspicious websites, particularly in environments where scientific imaging software is commonly used. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that even if one system is compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally within the network. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and memory usage anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate action, as attackers can leverage it without requiring physical access to target systems. Regular security assessments of scientific and research applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy software that may not receive regular security updates. The implementation of sandboxing techniques for image processing applications can provide additional protection layers, limiting the damage that can occur if such vulnerabilities are exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates for critical applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security controls for specialized applications used in research and development environments.