CVE-2025-30417 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) found in the National Instruments (NI) Circuit Design Suite, specifically within the Library!DecodeBase64() function used by the SymbolEditor component. The vulnerability arises when processing specially crafted .sym files, which can trigger an out-of-bounds write operation in memory. This flaw can lead to serious consequences including information disclosure and arbitrary code execution. Exploitation requires an attacker to convince a user to open a maliciously crafted .sym file in the affected software versions (NI Circuit Design Suite 14.3.0 and earlier). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker needs local access or to trick a user into opening the file, with low attack complexity (AC:L) and no privileges required (PR:N). User interaction is necessary (UI:R), and the vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all high). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in May 2025. The root cause is an out-of-bounds write in the Base64 decoding routine, which is a critical operation in handling symbol files, making the software susceptible to memory corruption attacks that can be leveraged for code execution or data leakage.

For European organizations using NI Circuit Design Suite, particularly in engineering, electronics design, and research sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, theft of intellectual property, or disruption of critical design workflows. Given the specialized nature of the software, targeted attacks could impact companies involved in hardware design, manufacturing, or R&D, which are vital to Europe's technology and industrial sectors. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious .sym file) suggests phishing or social engineering could be vectors, increasing risk in environments where file sharing is common. Confidentiality breaches could expose proprietary design data, while integrity violations could corrupt design files, leading to faulty hardware production. Availability impacts could disrupt project timelines and operational continuity. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity score underscores the urgency for European organizations to act proactively.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit and inventory all systems running NI Circuit Design Suite 14.3.0 or earlier to identify vulnerable installations. 2) Restrict the opening of .sym files from untrusted or unknown sources, enforcing strict file handling policies and user training to recognize suspicious files. 3) Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to isolate the Circuit Design Suite environment, limiting the impact of potential exploitation. 4) Monitor user activity and file access logs for unusual behavior related to .sym files. 5) Coordinate with NI for timely patch deployment once available; in the interim, consider disabling or restricting the SymbolEditor component if feasible. 6) Enhance endpoint protection with behavior-based detection to identify memory corruption attempts. 7) Conduct targeted phishing awareness campaigns emphasizing the risks of opening unsolicited design files. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector (malicious .sym files) and the operational context of the affected software.