CVE-2017-2779 in LabVIEW
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable memory corruption vulnerability exists in the RSRC segment parsing functionality of LabVIEW 2017, LabVIEW 2016, LabVIEW 2015, and LabVIEW 2014. A specially crafted Virtual Instrument (VI) file can cause an attacker controlled looping condition resulting in an arbitrary null write. An attacker controlled VI file can be used to trigger this vulnerability and can potentially result in code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2779 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within National Instruments LabVIEW software versions 2014 through 2017. This issue resides in the Resource (RSRC) segment parsing functionality, which is fundamental to how LabVIEW processes and handles Virtual Instrument (VI) files. The RSRC segment contains metadata and resource information that defines how a VI should be interpreted and executed within the LabVIEW environment. When a malformed VI file is processed, the parsing mechanism fails to properly validate input data, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking and input validation within the RSRC segment parser. Specifically, the flaw manifests when the parser encounters a specially crafted VI file containing malformed resource data that triggers an attacker-controlled looping condition. This condition leads to an arbitrary null write operation, where memory locations are overwritten with null values in a manner that can be predicted and manipulated by an attacker. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the software's memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can disrupt the normal execution flow and potentially allow for privilege escalation or code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a potential attack surface that could be exploited to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable LabVIEW versions. Since LabVIEW is widely used in industrial control systems, scientific research environments, and embedded applications, the exploitation of this vulnerability could compromise critical infrastructure and sensitive data processing environments. Attackers could craft malicious VI files that, when opened or processed by an affected system, would trigger the vulnerable parsing code and potentially lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the victim to interact with a specifically crafted VI file, making it a targeted attack vector rather than a widespread automated threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2779 should focus on immediate software updates from National Instruments, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies for VI files, particularly those received from untrusted sources, and consider deploying network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through legitimate system processes. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious VI files and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory corruption issues within industrial automation software environments.