CVE-2025-61144 is a stack overflow vulnerability identified in the libtiff library, affecting all versions up to 4.7.1. The vulnerability resides in the readSeparateStripsIntoBuffer function, which is responsible for reading TIFF image data strips into memory buffers. A stack overflow occurs when this function improperly handles input data, allowing an attacker to overwrite the stack memory. This can lead to arbitrary code execution or application crashes (denial of service). The vulnerability is triggered by processing specially crafted TIFF files, which can be embedded in documents, emails, or web content. LibTIFF is widely used in many operating systems, image viewers, graphic design software, and embedded systems, making the attack surface extensive. No public exploits or patches are currently available, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in February 2026. Due to the lack of authentication requirements and the ability to trigger the flaw remotely by supplying malicious files, the vulnerability poses a significant risk. The absence of known exploits suggests it may be newly discovered or not yet weaponized, but the potential impact warrants immediate attention from security teams.

The potential impact of CVE-2025-61144 is substantial for organizations worldwide. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to full system compromise. This could result in data theft, unauthorized access, or disruption of services. Systems that automatically process TIFF images, such as email gateways, document management systems, and web servers, are particularly at risk of being exploited without user interaction. The vulnerability could also be leveraged to deliver ransomware or other malware payloads. Given libtiff's widespread use across multiple platforms and industries—including government, healthcare, media, and manufacturing—the scope of affected systems is broad. The lack of authentication and the ease of triggering the vulnerability by simply opening or processing a malicious TIFF file increase the likelihood of exploitation. Organizations that do not promptly address this vulnerability may face severe confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.

To mitigate CVE-2025-61144, organizations should first monitor libtiff vendor channels and security advisories for official patches and apply them immediately upon release. Until patches are available, implement strict input validation and filtering to block or quarantine TIFF files from untrusted sources, especially in email gateways and web applications. Employ sandboxing or isolation techniques for applications that process TIFF images to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Disable or restrict automatic processing of TIFF files where feasible. Use intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with updated signatures to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Conduct regular security assessments and code audits for custom software using libtiff. Additionally, educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious image files. For embedded systems or legacy environments where patching is difficult, consider compensating controls such as network segmentation and application whitelisting to reduce exposure.