CVE-2025-61691 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting VT STUDIO, a product developed by KEYENCE CORPORATION. The vulnerability exists in versions 8.53 and prior and is characterized as an out-of-bounds read flaw. This type of vulnerability occurs when the software reads data outside the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, potentially leading to memory corruption or exposure of sensitive information. In this specific case, if VT STUDIO processes a specially crafted file, the out-of-bounds read can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the significant risk posed by this vulnerability, with a vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated high, meaning successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of operations. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and severity suggest that attackers could develop exploits relatively easily once the vulnerability details are public. VT STUDIO is typically used in industrial automation and control environments, which often involve critical infrastructure and manufacturing processes. The lack of available patches at the time of this report increases the urgency for organizations to implement mitigations and monitor for updates from KEYENCE CORPORATION.

For European organizations, especially those involved in manufacturing, industrial automation, and critical infrastructure sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant threat. VT STUDIO is used to design and simulate industrial control systems, and compromise of this software could lead to unauthorized code execution within operational technology (OT) environments. This could result in manipulation of industrial processes, data breaches involving sensitive operational data, or disruption of production lines. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, exploitation could cause financial losses, safety hazards, and reputational damage. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means that social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to trick operators into opening malicious files. The local attack vector suggests that attackers would need some level of access to the target system, which could be achieved through compromised credentials or insider threats. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as threat actors may develop exploits rapidly after vulnerability disclosure.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-61691. First, they should restrict access to VT STUDIO installations to trusted personnel only and enforce strict access controls to minimize the risk of local exploitation. Implementing application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions can help detect and block attempts to execute malicious code. Organizations should educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources and enforce policies to avoid processing files from unknown origins. Network segmentation between IT and OT environments can limit the spread of an attack if exploitation occurs. Since no patches are currently available, organizations should monitor KEYENCE CORPORATION's advisories closely and apply updates as soon as they are released. Additionally, conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on systems running VT STUDIO can help identify potential exposure. Employing intrusion detection systems (IDS) and monitoring logs for unusual activity related to VT STUDIO usage can provide early warning signs of exploitation attempts.