CVE-2025-9275 in Imaris Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2025
Oxford Instruments Imaris Viewer IMS File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Oxford Instruments Imaris Viewer. 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 IMS 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-21655.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The CVE-2025-9275 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Oxford Instruments Imaris Viewer that enables remote code execution through improper handling of IMS file parsing operations. This vulnerability resides within the software's file processing pipeline where the application fails to adequately validate user-supplied data during IMS file interpretation, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the viewer attempts to parse malformed IMS files, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning victims must either visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted IMS file to trigger the exploit, making this a typical client-side attack scenario that relies on social engineering or targeted delivery methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the IMS file parsing process, which is categorized under CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw occurs when the application processes user-controlled data without proper validation, allowing an attacker to craft malicious IMS files that cause the parser to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of the target data structure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the memory level, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses that control program execution flow. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, which focuses on leveraging application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the currently running Imaris Viewer process. This means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, especially if the viewer application runs with elevated privileges or has access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Oxford Instruments Imaris Viewer for scientific data analysis, particularly in research environments where the software may be used to process sensitive experimental data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate research data, or deploy additional malware, making this a significant concern for academic institutions and research organizations that handle proprietary or classified information. The remote exploitation capability combined with the requirement for user interaction suggests that phishing campaigns or malicious websites could be effective attack vectors, potentially compromising multiple systems across an organization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-9275 should focus on immediate patch management and operational security measures to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor-provided security updates as soon as they become available, since this vulnerability is specifically targeted at the Imaris Viewer application and requires direct remediation of the parsing logic. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious IMS files or web content that attempts to exploit this vulnerability, though these measures may not be foolproof given the targeted nature of the attack. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted files and websites, particularly when dealing with scientific software that may be used to process sensitive data. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software can help prevent exploitation, while monitoring for unusual file access patterns or memory allocation behaviors can aid in early detection of potential attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw underscores the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures to quickly identify and contain any exploitation attempts.