CVE-2025-53014 is a low-severity vulnerability affecting ImageMagick, a popular free and open-source software for editing and manipulating digital images. The vulnerability exists due to a heap buffer overflow in the `InterpretImageFilename` function, specifically stemming from an off-by-one error that leads to out-of-bounds memory access when processing format strings with consecutive percent signs (`%%`). This issue affects versions prior to 7.1.2-0 and 6.9.13-26.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 3.7, categorizing it as low severity. This indicates a low potential for exploitation, but it is crucial for organizations to remain vigilant and apply necessary updates. The affected versions include all releases prior to 7.1.2-0 and 6.9.13-26.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to system memory, which could lead to data leakage or application instability. Although the attack vector is network-based, the complexity is rated as high, meaning that successful exploitation would require significant skill and understanding of the application.
Organizations using vulnerable versions of ImageMagick should prioritize patching immediately to ensure the security of their systems and protect against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability indicates that it is a heap buffer overflow due to an off-by-one error in the `InterpretImageFilename` function. The CVSS score from NVD is 9.8, classified as critical, which highlights the severity of the memory access issue. This discrepancy in severity may arise from different interpretations of the vulnerability's impact based on the context of its exploitation.
The vulnerability affects ImageMagick, specifically versions prior to 7.1.2-0 and 6.9.13-26, and is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-193 (Off-by-one Error). The publication date of the vulnerability was July 14, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-53014 is an off-by-one error that allows heap buffer overflow. This can cause the application to access memory locations that it is not supposed to, leading to potential data corruption or application crashes. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is high, which means that successful exploitation would require advanced skills.
No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary. The impact on confidentiality is low, while integrity and availability impacts are none, as the vulnerability primarily affects memory management.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The vulnerability poses a risk to organizations that deploy ImageMagick in environments where it handles untrusted input. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to conduct denial of service or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is moderate, given its low CVSS score; however, patching should still be prioritized to avoid potential exploitation.
Organizations should be aware of the blast radius of this vulnerability, particularly in environments where ImageMagick is integrated with other applications. The interconnectedness of services means that an exploit could have wider implications.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to 7.1.2-0 and 6.9.13-26 of ImageMagick are affected. Organizations should ensure they are using patched versions to avoid this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-53014, organizations should upgrade to ImageMagick version 7.1.2-0 or 6.9.13-26. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network controls to limit access to affected services and monitor for unusual activity.
Organizations may also benefit from conducting a thorough security assessment, including application security assessments to identify any other vulnerabilities that may exist.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability is essential. Look for unusual memory access patterns or application crashes that may signify an exploitation attempt.
Behavioral anomalies in ImageMagick operations should be closely scrutinized, especially when processing images with format strings. Deploy network signatures to detect and alert on suspicious requests made to ImageMagick services.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
In conclusion, while CVE-2025-53014 is classified as low severity, it highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions. Organizations should be proactive in their security posture to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Security teams should regularly evaluate their vulnerability management programs and ensure they have strategies in place to respond to potential threats.
Investing in robust security testing practices, such as penetration testing, can help identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Additionally, organizations should consider leveraging insights from penetration testing methodologies to enhance their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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