Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR EXR File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published Dec 23, 2025
7.8
HIGHCVSS 3.1
EPSS 0.19%
Description
Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR EXR File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR. 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 EXR files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-27948.
Affected products
-
- Version 3.4.0StatusaffectedConstraints-
- Version
Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).
| Vendor | Product | Default status | Versions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Software Foundation | OpenEXR | n/a |
|
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
OpenEXR
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
OpenEXR
Out of support scope
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
OpenEXR
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
OpenEXR
Not affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
OpenEXR
Not affected
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | OpenEXR | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | OpenEXR | Out of support scope | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | OpenEXR | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | OpenEXR | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | OpenEXR | Not affected | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
This vulnerability is rated Important for Red Hat products as it is a heap-based buffer overflow in OpenEXR that could lead to arbitrary code execution. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious EXR file or visiting a malicious page. Red Hat products are affected if they process untrusted EXR files.
Red Hat mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability. Users are advised to exercise caution when opening untrusted EXR files or visiting untrusted web pages.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
No CVSS v2.0 score for this CVE.
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
CISA SSVC (Vulnrichment)
Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization from CISA ADP.
Exploitation
NoneAutomatable
NoTechnical Impact
TotalDecision
n/aAssessed Dec 24, 2025 · SSVC 2.0.3
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 4, 2026.
Score over time
2025-2026- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (3 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed. Showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 4, 2026 | 0.19% (0.00192) | 8.01th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 0.16% (0.00158) | 5.28th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Dec 24, 2025 | 0.04% (0.00042) | 12.99th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
References (5)
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-12840 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2424708 Issue Tracking
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-12840
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-12840
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-991/ x_research-advisoryThird Party Advisory
| Link | Providers | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-12840 | Vendor Advisory | |
| https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2424708 | Issue Tracking | |
| https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-12840 | ||
| https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-12840 | ||
| https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-991/ | x_research-advisoryThird Party Advisory |
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.