CVE-2025-7224 in HMITool
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
INVT HMITool VPM File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of INVT HMITool. 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 VPM files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in 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-25045.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The CVE-2025-7224 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in INVT HMITool's VPM file parsing functionality that enables remote code execution. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of VPM files within the industrial human-machine interface software, which is commonly deployed in manufacturing and automation environments. The flaw exists in the software's file parsing routine where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems where such software is often deployed without regular security updates or patch management processes, creating persistent attack vectors for adversaries targeting operational technology environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during VPM file processing, which falls under CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. When the application parses a malformed VPM file, it fails to validate the size or structure of user-supplied data before writing to memory buffers. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious VPM file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, triggers a buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation as the target must either visit a malicious web page that delivers the malicious file or open the crafted VPM file directly, making it a client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise entire industrial control systems that rely on INVT HMITool for monitoring and control operations. In industrial environments, successful exploitation could lead to disruption of critical manufacturing processes, data integrity compromise, or even physical safety risks if the control systems are connected to operational equipment. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can target multiple systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation may not be properly implemented. The fact that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-25045 indicates it was identified through coordinated vulnerability disclosure processes, highlighting the need for organizations to maintain active threat intelligence and patch management programs.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to systems running INVT HMITool, disabling automatic opening of VPM files, and implementing strict file validation policies. The most effective long-term solution involves applying vendor-provided patches or updating to versions that address the buffer overflow condition in the VPM file parser. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious VPM files. Given the industrial control system context, organizations should also consider conducting comprehensive security assessments of their OT environments to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited through different attack vectors, ensuring compliance with standards such as NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443 that govern industrial cybersecurity practices.