CVE-2025-30420 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability identified in the NI Circuit Design Suite, specifically affecting versions 14.3.0 and earlier. The root cause is an out-of-bounds read in the Bitmap::InternalDraw() function when the SymbolEditor component processes specially crafted .sym files. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which pertains to out-of-bounds read errors. Exploitation requires an attacker to convince a user to open a maliciously crafted symbol file within the software. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker could achieve information disclosure or execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high severity due to the potential for confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring user interaction (UI:R) but no privileges (PR:N). The vulnerability scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning it affects only the vulnerable component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, and no patches have been linked at the time of publication. The vulnerability is particularly critical because circuit design software often handles sensitive intellectual property and operational data, making information disclosure and code execution risks significant.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-30420 could be substantial, especially for companies involved in electronics design, manufacturing, and research sectors that rely on NI Circuit Design Suite for schematic capture and circuit simulation. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to proprietary circuit designs and intellectual property, potentially resulting in industrial espionage or sabotage. Arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to deploy malware, pivot within internal networks, or disrupt design workflows, impacting business continuity. Given the specialized nature of the software, affected organizations might face operational delays and increased remediation costs. Furthermore, disclosure of sensitive design data could have regulatory and compliance implications under GDPR if personal data or trade secrets are compromised. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing campaigns could be leveraged to deliver the malicious .sym files, increasing the attack surface in environments where users exchange design files frequently.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately audit and inventory all instances of NI Circuit Design Suite in use, identifying versions at or below 14.3.0. 2) Implement strict file handling policies that restrict opening .sym files from untrusted or unknown sources. 3) Educate users, especially engineers and designers, about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious symbol files and promote verification procedures before opening such files. 4) Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to memory corruption exploits and monitor for suspicious activity during file processing. 5) Use application whitelisting to limit execution of unauthorized code that might result from exploitation. 6) Engage with NI for updates or patches and plan prompt deployment once available. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate design workstations from broader corporate networks to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. 8) Regularly back up critical design data and maintain incident response plans tailored to intellectual property theft or malware incidents in engineering environments.