CVE-2013-3249 in Remote Support
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the "Add from text file" feature in the DameWare Exporter tool (DWExporter.exe) in DameWare Remote Support 10.0.0.372, 9.0.1.247, and earlier allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3249 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the DameWare Remote Support software suite, specifically affecting the DWExporter.exe component responsible for file export operations. This issue manifests in the "Add from text file" functionality where the application fails to properly validate input data length before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. The vulnerability affects multiple versions including 10.0.0.372 and 9.0.1.247, indicating it was present across a significant portion of the software's release cycle. The flaw is classified as user-assisted, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to perform a specific action involving the vulnerable export feature, typically by providing a malicious text file for import.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. When a user selects the "Add from text file" option and provides input exceeding the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. This overflow condition creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as attackers can manipulate the program flow by overwriting the return address with a pointer to their malicious payload. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of input data to precisely overwrite the stack layout and redirect execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3249 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat vector for privilege escalation and persistent access within compromised environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to systems managed through DameWare Remote Support, potentially accessing sensitive network resources, escalating privileges, or establishing backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on remote desktop and system administration tools, where the software is commonly deployed for managing distributed computing environments. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering tactics could be employed to convince legitimate users to execute the malicious payload, making the attack vector particularly concerning for enterprise security environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor, as version 10.0.0.373 and subsequent releases contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of DameWare Remote Support systems and establish strict access controls for users who can perform export operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting which users can access the vulnerable "Add from text file" functionality. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file import patterns and potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, with potential use of T1059 for command execution and T1068 for privilege escalation. Regular security assessments should verify that all instances of DameWare Remote Support have been updated to patched versions, and that proper input validation controls are implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications.