CVE-2025-12495: Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Affects Academy Software Foundation OpenEXRSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 25 Oct 2026, 19:02 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 23 Dec 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-25.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
European organizations should take proactive steps to mitigate this vulnerability beyond generic patching advice. First, they should monitor the Academy Software Foundation and related security advisories closely for official patches or updates to OpenEXR 3.4.0 and apply them immediately upon release. Until patches are available, organizations should implement strict file validation and filtering controls to block or quarantine untrusted EXR files from unknown or untrusted sources. Sandboxing or running EXR file processing in isolated environments can limit the impact of potential exploitation. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious image files, especially from external sources. Network segmentation can help contain any compromise resulting from exploitation. Additionally, integrating runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review and restrict permissions of processes handling EXR files to minimize the privileges available to any exploited process. Finally, maintaining up-to-date backups and incident response plans will aid recovery if exploitation occurs.
Description
CVE-2025-12495 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the Academy Software Foundation's OpenEXR library version 3.4.0. The flaw arises from improper validation of user-supplied data length during EXR file parsing, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious EXR files or visiting malicious pages. Exploitation requires user interaction but no privileges or authentication. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS score of 7.8. No known exploits are currently in the wild. European organizations using OpenEXR in media, visual effects, or related industries should prioritize patching and implement strict file validation and sandboxing to mitigate risk. Countries with strong media production sectors and digital content creation are most likely affected.