CVE-2025-8176 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the LibTIFF library versions 4.0 through 4.7.0, specifically within the get_histogram function located in the tools/tiffmedian.c source file. LibTIFF is a widely used open-source library for reading and writing TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) files, which are common in various imaging applications and software. The vulnerability arises due to improper memory management where a pointer is used after the associated memory has been freed, leading to undefined behavior. This can potentially allow an attacker with local access and low privileges to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by crashing the application. The attack vector requires local access with low privileges, no user interaction, and no elevated authentication, making exploitation somewhat constrained but still feasible in environments where untrusted users have local access. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, indicating a medium severity level, reflecting the limited attack vector and scope. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability to a high degree but does present a risk of local privilege escalation or application instability. A patch has been made available (commit fe10872e53efba9cc36c66ac4ab3b41a839d5172) to address this issue, and it is strongly recommended to update affected LibTIFF versions to mitigate the risk. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but public disclosure of the exploit code increases the risk of future attacks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-8176 is primarily relevant in environments where LibTIFF is used in local processing of TIFF images, such as in digital imaging, medical imaging, geographic information systems (GIS), and document management systems. Since the vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, the primary risk is from insider threats or attackers who have already gained limited access to internal systems. Exploitation could lead to application crashes or potential local code execution, which might be leveraged to escalate privileges or move laterally within a network. This could disrupt critical imaging workflows or compromise systems that rely on LibTIFF for image processing. Organizations handling sensitive image data, such as healthcare providers, government agencies, and research institutions, may face operational disruptions or data integrity issues if the vulnerability is exploited. However, the lack of remote exploitability and the medium severity reduce the likelihood of widespread impact. Still, the presence of publicly available exploit code increases the urgency for patching to prevent opportunistic attacks.

European organizations should take the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Identify all systems and applications that use LibTIFF versions 4.0 to 4.7.0, including embedded systems and third-party software that may bundle the vulnerable library. 2) Apply the official patch corresponding to commit fe10872e53efba9cc36c66ac4ab3b41a839d5172 or upgrade to a fixed version of LibTIFF as soon as possible. 3) Restrict local access to systems processing TIFF images to trusted users only, employing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual local activity. 4) Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect and prevent exploitation attempts leveraging this vulnerability. 5) Conduct internal audits to ensure no unpatched instances remain, including legacy systems and development environments. 6) Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and the importance of patch management for third-party libraries. 7) Monitor security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to CVE-2025-8176.