CVE-2013-5022 in Teststand
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the 3D Graph ActiveX control in cw3dgrph.ocx in National Instruments LabWindows/CVI 2012 SP1 and earlier, LabVIEW 2012 SP1 and earlier, and other products allows remote attackers to create and execute arbitrary files via a full pathname in an argument to the ExportStyle method, in conjunction with file content in the (1) Caption or (2) FormatString property value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The CVE-2013-5022 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the 3D Graph ActiveX control component cw3dgrph.ocx found in National Instruments LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW software versions up to and including 2012 SP1. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation within the ExportStyle method of the ActiveX control, which accepts user-supplied pathnames without proper sanitization or restriction mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the control's behavior by providing malicious pathnames that can bypass normal file system access controls and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the inherent trust placed in ActiveX controls within Windows environments, where these components typically operate with elevated privileges and have extensive file system access capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the interaction between multiple control properties and the ExportStyle method. Attackers can craft malicious input that combines a full pathname argument with specially formatted content in either the Caption or FormatString properties to manipulate the control's file creation and execution behavior. The flaw stems from improper validation of user-supplied pathnames, allowing attackers to specify absolute paths that can traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal issues, and represents a classic example of unsafe file handling within ActiveX components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the target system to have the vulnerable ActiveX control installed and configured to accept remote input, typically through web browsers or other applications that load ActiveX controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5022 is severe and multifaceted, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data theft, system infiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects not only individual workstations but also enterprise environments where LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW are used for industrial automation, scientific instrumentation, and data acquisition systems. Organizations using these tools in production environments face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attacks, email attachments, or malicious websites that load the vulnerable ActiveX control. The attack surface is particularly broad given that these tools are commonly used in research facilities, manufacturing environments, and scientific laboratories where system security may not be as rigorously maintained as in traditional enterprise settings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5022 should include immediate patching of affected software versions, as National Instruments released updates to address this vulnerability in subsequent releases. Organizations should also implement strict ActiveX control restrictions through group policy settings, browser security configurations, and application whitelisting mechanisms to prevent unauthorized ActiveX controls from executing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software across the organization and implement proper access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in ActiveX development, particularly around input validation and file system operations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, which both relate to the exploitation of vulnerable applications and execution of malicious code through system interfaces.