CVE-2025-61982 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), affecting OpenCFD's OpenFOAM software version 2506. The flaw exists in the Code Stream directive functionality, which processes simulation files. An attacker can craft a malicious OpenFOAM simulation file that, when loaded or processed by the vulnerable version, triggers arbitrary code execution. This occurs because the software does not properly sanitize or control the code generation process within these directives, allowing injection of malicious code. The vulnerability requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must open or process the malicious file—but does not require any prior authentication or elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the potential for damage is significant given OpenFOAM's use in critical engineering simulations. The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the host system, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or disruption of simulation workflows. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation steps by users.

For European organizations, especially those in aerospace, automotive, energy, and academic research sectors relying on OpenFOAM for computational fluid dynamics simulations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution on critical systems, resulting in theft of sensitive intellectual property, manipulation or destruction of simulation data, and disruption of engineering processes. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, compromised systems could affect product development cycles and safety-critical analyses. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be vectors for delivering malicious simulation files. The potential for lateral movement within networks exists if attackers gain initial footholds. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity demands urgent attention to prevent future attacks.

1. Immediately restrict the sources of OpenFOAM simulation files to trusted and verified origins; avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown sources. 2. Implement strict file validation and scanning procedures for simulation files before processing, including sandboxing or static analysis to detect malicious code injections. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous code execution behaviors related to OpenFOAM processes. 4. Monitor user activities and file access logs for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Isolate OpenFOAM environments from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement. 6. Engage with OpenCFD for timely updates and patches; apply vendor-supplied patches as soon as they become available. 7. Educate users on the risks of opening untrusted simulation files and implement policies to reduce user interaction risks. 8. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or behavior-based detection tools to identify exploitation attempts in real time.