CVE-2013-0726 in ERDAS ER Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ERM_convert_to_correct_webpath function in ermapper_u.dll in ERDAS ER Viewer before 13.00.0001 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted pathname in an ERS file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0726 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the ERDAS ER Viewer software suite, specifically within the ermapper_u.dll library. This vulnerability exists in the ERM_convert_to_correct_webpath function which processes pathname data from ERS files, creating a significant security risk for systems running affected versions of the software. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a crafted pathname within an ERS file structure, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory allocation and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability affects all versions of ERDAS ER Viewer prior to version 13.00.0001, making it a persistent threat across multiple release cycles of this geospatial visualization software. The affected component ermapper_u.dll serves as a core library responsible for handling various file format conversions and path manipulations, positioning this vulnerability at a critical point in the software's processing pipeline.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the ERM_convert_to_correct_webpath function, which fails to validate the length of pathname data extracted from ERS files before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs when the input data exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The overflow typically results in the corruption of the stack frame's return address, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the application's memory space. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the condition through network-based delivery of malicious ERS files without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond opening the file. This characteristic aligns with attack patterns classified under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack-allocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0726 extends beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive threat vector that can compromise entire enterprise systems. Organizations utilizing ERDAS ER Viewer for geospatial data processing, mapping, or remote sensing applications face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users regularly process external data files or receive ERS files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers could potentially gain full system control, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within affected networks. Given that ERDAS ER Viewer is commonly used in government, defense, and critical infrastructure sectors for processing sensitive geospatial data, the potential for data exfiltration or system compromise is particularly concerning. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for further network attacks. The widespread use of ERDAS software in professional mapping and geographic information systems increases the attack surface and makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0726 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available version of ERDAS ER Viewer, specifically version 13.00.0001 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network-based controls to restrict access to ERS file formats and establish strict file validation procedures for any external data processing. Security administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ERS files and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file handling patterns. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to exploit through social engineering campaigns targeting users who might open malicious ERS files, so user awareness training becomes critical. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for processing untrusted geospatial files and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing buffer overflow vulnerabilities. From a defensive perspective, the ATT&CK framework suggests implementing process isolation and memory protection mechanisms such as DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) to complicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated ERDAS software installations, while network segmentation can limit the potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive monitoring of network traffic for potential exploitation attempts and immediate response protocols for any detected compromise attempts.