CVE-2025-64301: Canva Affinity RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-64301 Overview

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the Enhanced Metafile (EMF) functionality of Canva Affinity. This memory corruption flaw allows attackers to craft malicious EMF files that, when processed by the application, can trigger an out-of-bounds write condition. Successful exploitation could enable arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage specially crafted EMF files to achieve code execution on vulnerable systems running Canva Affinity. User interaction is required to open the malicious file.

Affected Products

• Canva Affinity for Windows

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-17 - CVE-2025-64301 published to NVD
• 2026-03-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-64301

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a memory corruption issue that occurs when a program writes data past the boundaries of the intended buffer. In the context of Canva Affinity, the EMF file parsing functionality fails to properly validate input parameters before writing data to memory structures.

EMF files are a Windows metafile format used to store vector graphics and imaging data. The format's complexity and support for various record types creates opportunities for malformed input to corrupt memory during parsing operations. When Canva Affinity processes a specially crafted EMF file, insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to control write operations beyond allocated memory regions.

The local attack vector requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must open a malicious EMF file. This could be delivered through phishing campaigns, malicious downloads, or embedded within documents. Once the file is opened, exploitation occurs within the user's security context, potentially enabling full compromise of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper input validation within the EMF parsing routines of Canva Affinity. When processing EMF record structures, the application fails to adequately verify that size parameters and offset values fall within expected boundaries. This allows specially crafted values to cause writes to memory locations outside the intended buffer space, corrupting adjacent memory structures and potentially enabling attacker-controlled code execution.

Attack Vector

The attack requires a victim to open a maliciously crafted EMF file using Canva Affinity. Attack scenarios include:

• Email-based phishing with malicious EMF attachments
• Drive-by downloads from compromised websites
• Social engineering to trick users into opening shared design files
• Supply chain attacks embedding malicious EMF content in design assets

The vulnerability is exploitable locally with no privileges required, though user interaction is mandatory. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system.

For detailed technical information, refer to the Talos Intelligence Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-64301

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or memory access violations in Canva Affinity processes
• Unusual child process spawning from Canva Affinity application
• Suspicious EMF files with anomalous record structures or oversized parameters
• Memory corruption artifacts in crash dumps from affected application

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system activity for EMF files being accessed by Canva Affinity, particularly from untrusted sources
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify memory corruption patterns in graphics processing applications
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect unusual process behavior following EMF file access
• Configure application whitelisting to prevent execution of unexpected code from Affinity processes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for Canva Affinity file operations and crash events
• Monitor for process injection or code execution anomalies following EMF file processing
• Implement network monitoring for suspicious file downloads with EMF extensions
• Review security event logs for application stability issues that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-64301

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Canva Affinity to the latest patched version as soon as available
• Restrict opening of EMF files from untrusted or unknown sources
• Implement application control policies to limit Affinity's ability to spawn child processes
• Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited design files or EMF attachments

Patch Information

Canva has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the Canva Trust Update for official patch information and download links. Organizations should prioritize patching systems where Canva Affinity is deployed, especially in environments that process external design assets.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable EMF file processing if Canva Affinity supports configuration of file type handlers
• Implement email filtering to quarantine EMF attachments from external senders
• Use application sandboxing to isolate Canva Affinity from critical system resources
• Consider using alternative design tools until patching is complete in sensitive environments

Organizations should apply the official patch as the primary remediation strategy, as workarounds may not fully mitigate the vulnerability and could impact legitimate workflows.