CVE-2019-25633 in Extreme
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2026
AIDA64 Extreme 5.99.4900 contains a structured exception handling buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying malicious input through the email preferences and report wizard interfaces. Attackers can inject crafted payloads into the Display name field and Load from file parameter to trigger the overflow and execute shellcode with application privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25633 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within AIDA64 Extreme version 5.99.4900 that resides in the structured exception handling mechanism of the application. This weakness manifests through the email preferences and report wizard interfaces where the software fails to properly validate input lengths when processing user-supplied data. The flaw specifically affects the Display name field and Load from file parameter handling, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates within the context of the application's normal execution flow, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges beyond those normally available to a user.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the application processes crafted input through the email preferences interface where the Display name field is manipulated to exceed the allocated buffer space. Similarly, the Load from file parameter in the report wizard interface presents another attack vector where malicious file content can trigger the same overflow condition. Both attack vectors exploit the same underlying flaw in the application's memory management, specifically in how the software handles structured exception handling during input processing. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, as the application's memory handling routines fail to properly enforce bounds checking on user-supplied data. The structured exception handling component becomes compromised when the overflow occurs, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the program execution flow through exception handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local privilege escalation from standard user privileges to application privileges, which in many cases equates to system-level access depending on how AIDA64 is configured and executed. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed through the vulnerable interfaces, result in the execution of arbitrary shellcode within the application context. This capability allows for complete compromise of the affected system, potentially enabling attackers to install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive information. The vulnerability's local nature means that an attacker must already have access to the system, but the privilege escalation aspect makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users have elevated access rights or where the application runs with administrative privileges. The attack surface is limited to the specific interfaces mentioned, but these components are commonly used during system diagnostics and reporting activities, making exploitation likely in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-25633 should focus on immediate software updates from the vendor, as version 5.99.4900 contains the vulnerable code that requires patching. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls within their network security policies to prevent malicious data from reaching vulnerable applications, though this approach is less effective for local attacks where the attacker already has system access. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by ensuring that even if an attacker compromises AIDA64, they cannot easily escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. System administrators should monitor for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the email preferences and report wizard interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing shellcode through the application's process. Additionally, the technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation would be applicable, as the vulnerability enables local users to execute code with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted binaries and monitor for any attempts to modify the AIDA64 installation directory or configuration files that might be used as part of an exploitation strategy.