CVE-2025-7230 in VT-Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
INVT VT-Designer PM3 File Parsing Type Confusion 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 type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25723.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The CVE-2025-7230 vulnerability represents a critical type confusion flaw in INVT VT-Designer software that enables remote code execution through PM3 file parsing operations. This vulnerability resides within the application's file handling mechanism where insufficient input validation permits maliciously crafted PM3 files to trigger unexpected behavior in the software's memory management. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of PM3 files, which are used for designing and configuring industrial control systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology environments. The vulnerability's classification as a type confusion issue stems from the software's inability to properly distinguish between different data types during runtime execution, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layouts and execute arbitrary code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PM3 file that triggers the type confusion condition within the VT-Designer application. This condition occurs when the software's parser encounters unexpected data types that cause it to misinterpret memory locations, potentially leading to stack corruption or heap manipulation. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks or file sharing mechanisms without requiring local system access. The specific nature of the type confusion allows for code execution in the context of the current process, which typically runs with elevated privileges depending on the system configuration. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-128, which covers output buffer underrun conditions that can lead to type confusion scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-7230 extends significantly beyond traditional desktop computing environments into industrial control systems where VT-Designer is commonly deployed. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain persistent access to critical infrastructure control systems, potentially disrupting industrial processes or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious pages or opening malicious files makes this vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against, as it relies on social engineering tactics combined with technical exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in industrial design software creates additional risks for manufacturing, energy, and process control environments where system integrity and availability are paramount. Organizations utilizing INVT VT-Designer in operational technology environments face potential compromise of their industrial control systems, which could result in production disruptions, safety hazards, or data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-7230 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems while implementing additional defensive measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of INVT VT-Designer that address the type confusion vulnerability in PM3 file parsing. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks or users. Input validation controls should be strengthened at network boundaries and within applications to prevent malformed PM3 files from reaching the vulnerable parsing components. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter should be monitored for suspicious execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and process behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of industrial control system environments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other software components that handle user-supplied data. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary file type associations and implementing application whitelisting can further reduce the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.