CVE-2025-7229 in VT-Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
INVT VT-Designer PM3 File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of INVT VT-Designer. 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 PM3 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 data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25722.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The CVE-2025-7229 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in INVT VT-Designer software that enables remote code execution through PM3 file parsing. This vulnerability resides within the application's file handling mechanism where insufficient input validation permits malicious data to trigger memory corruption. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of PM3 files, which are proprietary format files used for designing and configuring industrial control systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PM3 files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, cause the application to write data beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, typically through social engineering tactics that entice victims to open the malicious file or visit a compromised webpage hosting the malicious content. This attack vector aligns with common exploitation patterns described in the attack chain framework where initial access is achieved through user engagement with malicious content. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds write directly maps to CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software applications. This weakness creates a path for arbitrary code execution that operates within the security context of the currently running process, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges or establish persistent access to affected systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning in industrial environments where VT-Designer is commonly deployed for control system configuration and automation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can compromise the integrity of industrial control systems, potentially leading to operational technology (OT) security breaches. The ZDI-CAN-25722 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified through coordinated disclosure channels, highlighting the importance of timely patch management in industrial cybersecurity environments. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper bounds checking and input sanitization that is essential for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations using INVT VT-Designer should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches, as the vulnerability's remote exploitability combined with its potential for privilege escalation makes it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious payloads through the compromised application. Given the industrial control system context, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to critical infrastructure security and requires immediate attention from cybersecurity teams responsible for OT environments. The lack of input validation in the PM3 file parser creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by threat actors targeting industrial control systems and their associated network infrastructure.