CVE-2025-64733 Overview
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the EMF (Enhanced Metafile) functionality of Canva Affinity. By using a specially crafted EMF file, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to perform an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive information. This vulnerability requires local access and user interaction to exploit, as the victim must open a malicious EMF file.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive memory contents beyond intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing confidential data or causing application crashes.
Affected Products
- Canva Affinity for Windows (all versions prior to patch)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-17 - CVE-2025-64733 published to NVD
- 2026-03-19 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-64733
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), a memory corruption issue that occurs when the application reads data beyond the boundaries of an allocated memory buffer. In this case, the flaw exists within the EMF file parsing functionality of Canva Affinity.
When processing EMF files, the application fails to properly validate boundaries before reading memory, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious EMF file that triggers reads beyond the intended buffer. This can result in the disclosure of sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions, including potentially valuable data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive application data. Additionally, the out-of-bounds read can cause the application to crash, resulting in a denial of service condition.
The attack requires local access with user interaction—meaning a victim must be convinced to open a maliciously crafted EMF file. This could be achieved through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails with malicious attachments or by hosting the file on a compromised website.
Root Cause
The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the EMF parsing routines within Canva Affinity. The application does not adequately verify that memory read operations stay within the bounds of allocated buffers when processing EMF file structures. This allows specially crafted EMF files to specify read operations that exceed buffer boundaries.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to deliver a malicious EMF file to the victim. Exploitation scenarios include:
- An attacker sends a phishing email containing a malicious EMF file attachment
- A victim downloads a crafted EMF file from a compromised or malicious website
- An attacker places a malicious EMF file on a shared network drive accessible to the victim
When the victim opens the malicious EMF file with Canva Affinity, the out-of-bounds read is triggered, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents to the attacker or causing the application to crash.
The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges to exploit, but does require user interaction to open the malicious file. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Talos Intelligence Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-64733
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual application crashes when opening EMF files in Canva Affinity
- Presence of suspicious or unexpected EMF files in user download folders or email attachments
- Canva Affinity process exhibiting abnormal memory access patterns
- Application logs showing parsing errors related to EMF file handling
Detection Strategies
- Monitor file system activity for EMF files from untrusted sources being accessed by Canva Affinity
- Implement endpoint detection rules to identify suspicious EMF file structures that may indicate exploitation attempts
- Deploy application crash monitoring to detect repeated failures when processing EMF files
- Utilize memory protection mechanisms that can detect out-of-bounds read attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enhanced logging for Canva Affinity application events
- Monitor email gateways for EMF file attachments from unknown or suspicious senders
- Implement file reputation services to identify potentially malicious EMF files before they reach end users
- Configure endpoint security solutions to alert on anomalous behavior from Canva Affinity processes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-64733
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the latest security update from Canva for the Affinity product
- Exercise caution when opening EMF files from untrusted or unknown sources
- Implement email attachment filtering to block or quarantine suspicious EMF files
- Educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown sources
Patch Information
Canva has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should review the Canva Trust Security Advisory for detailed patching information and apply the appropriate updates immediately.
Workarounds
- Temporarily disable or restrict the opening of EMF files in Canva Affinity until patches can be applied
- Configure email security gateways to block EMF file attachments from external senders
- Implement application allowlisting to control which applications can process EMF files
- Consider using alternative image formats that do not rely on EMF parsing
# Example: Block EMF files at the email gateway (configuration varies by product)
# Add EMF to blocked attachment types
# file_extension_block: .emf, .EMF
# Consider implementing file type validation before processing
# Restrict EMF file access to trusted directories only
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
