CVE-2025-53734 in Visio
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
Use after free in Microsoft Office Visio allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53734 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Microsoft Office Visio that enables unauthorized remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of memory management during document processing operations, specifically when parsing maliciously crafted Visio files. The flaw occurs when the application allocates memory for certain objects and subsequently frees that memory while still maintaining references to it, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the freed memory location to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation practices within Visio's document parsing engine. When processing specially crafted Visio files containing malformed elements, the application fails to properly validate object references after memory deallocation occurs. This memory management error creates a use-after-free condition that can be exploited through controlled manipulation of the application's memory layout. Attackers can leverage this condition by crafting Visio documents that trigger the vulnerable code path, causing the application to free memory that is subsequently accessed by malicious code. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-416, specifically addressing the improper deallocation of memory resources. This weakness falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically led to numerous exploitation vectors in enterprise applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-53734 extends significantly beyond simple local code execution, as it represents a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged in targeted attacks against enterprise environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute code with the same privileges as the Visio application process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but may have access to sensitive corporate data. In scenarios where Visio is used in shared or collaborative environments, an attacker could potentially compromise entire networks through lateral movement once initial access is achieved. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that Visio files are commonly shared through email attachments, document repositories, and collaboration platforms, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-53734 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the memory management flaw. Organizations should implement strict email filtering policies to prevent potentially malicious Visio files from reaching end users, particularly focusing on file extension controls and content inspection. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that Visio applications do not have unnecessary access to sensitive network resources. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous Visio process behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting solutions can prevent unauthorized Visio files from executing on corporate systems, while regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted Visio documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in enterprise applications and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues in future releases.