CVE-2025-61979 in Affinity
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2026
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the EMF functionality of Canva Affinity. By using a specially crafted EMF file, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to perform an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-61979 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the EMF (Enhanced Metafile) handling component of Canva Affinity software. This issue manifests when the application processes specially crafted EMF files that contain malformed data structures or improper memory access patterns. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the EMF parsing logic, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access operations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such flaws typically occur when software fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data before processing it, creating opportunities for memory corruption and information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious EMF file that triggers improper memory access during the rendering or parsing process. When Canva Affinity attempts to process this crafted file, the application reads memory locations that fall outside the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and more broadly relates to CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to implement proper bounds checking when handling EMF file structures, particularly in how it interprets and processes metafile records and their associated data.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-61979 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the out-of-bounds read could potentially expose sensitive system information, user data, or application memory contents. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract cryptographic keys, user credentials, internal application state information, or other confidential data stored in memory. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, as it could enable attackers to gather intelligence about the target system or application environment. The vulnerability may also facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or remote code execution if the leaked memory contents contain pointers or other exploitable data structures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-61979 should focus on implementing robust input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the EMF processing pipeline. Organizations should ensure that all EMF file parsing operations include comprehensive size validation, proper buffer management, and memory access boundary checks before processing any external data. The recommended approach includes applying the latest security patches and updates from Canva Affinity vendors, implementing strict file format validation, and deploying network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted EMF files, and establish monitoring protocols to detect suspicious file processing activities. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other file format handlers within the application ecosystem, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in input validation and memory management practices.