CVE-2025-7229 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in INVT VT-Designer version 2.1.13, specifically within the PM3 file parsing functionality. The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), which occurs due to improper validation of user-supplied data during the parsing process. This flaw allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting critical memory regions. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as opening a maliciously crafted PM3 file or visiting a malicious webpage that triggers the file parsing. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution (RCE) within the context of the current process, granting the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction and local access vector. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reported by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under the identifier ZDI-CAN-25722. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it poses a significant risk to systems running the affected VT-Designer software, especially in environments where users may open untrusted files or access untrusted web content.

For European organizations using INVT VT-Designer 2.1.13, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely can lead to full system compromise, data theft, manipulation, or disruption of industrial design processes managed by VT-Designer. This is particularly critical for sectors relying on VT-Designer for automation, manufacturing, or industrial control system design, where integrity and availability are paramount. Exploitation could result in intellectual property theft, operational downtime, or serve as a foothold for further network intrusion. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially spear-phishing campaigns delivering malicious PM3 files. The lack of patches increases exposure time, and organizations without strict file handling policies or endpoint protection are at higher risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security controls if the compromised process runs with elevated privileges.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict the use of VT-Designer 2.1.13 to trusted environments and users only, minimizing exposure to untrusted files or web content. 2) Enforce strict file validation policies, including blocking or quarantining PM3 files from unknown or untrusted sources at email gateways and endpoint security solutions. 3) Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for VT-Designer to limit the impact of potential code execution. 4) Monitor and audit VT-Designer process behavior for anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Educate users on the risks of opening untrusted files and visiting suspicious websites. 6) Coordinate with INVT for timely patch deployment once available, and consider temporary disabling of PM3 file parsing if feasible. 7) Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running VT-Designer from critical infrastructure to contain potential breaches.