CVE-2025-2630 in LabVIEW
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2025
There is a DLL hijacking vulnerability due to an uncontrolled search path that exists in NI LabVIEW. This vulnerability may result in arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to insert a malicious DLL into the uncontrolled search path. This vulnerability affects NI LabVIEW 2025 Q1 and prior versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical DLL hijacking flaw in National Instruments LabVIEW software that stems from improper handling of dynamic link library search paths. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly control or validate the directories from which it loads dynamic libraries, creating an exploitable condition where malicious code can be executed with the privileges of the running process. The vulnerability specifically affects NI LabVIEW versions through 2025 Q1, indicating a persistent flaw that has remained unaddressed for multiple release cycles. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-426 category of Untrusted Search Path, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The attack vector requires an attacker to place a malicious DLL file in a location that the vulnerable application will search through, effectively allowing the system to load unauthorized code during normal operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic search path manipulation attack where the malicious DLL is positioned in a directory that the application will traverse before finding legitimate system libraries. When LabVIEW attempts to load a required dependency, it will first find and execute the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the intended legitimate library. This behavior is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution without requiring elevated privileges beyond what the application normally operates with. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially enable privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise depending on the execution context and the privileges of the LabVIEW process. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various attack scenarios including social engineering or physical access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using LabVIEW in industrial control systems, research environments, or manufacturing processes where the software may be running with elevated privileges. The attack requires minimal sophistication from threat actors since it relies on predictable application behavior and standard file system manipulation techniques. Organizations may be vulnerable even when running patched versions of the operating system since the root cause lies in the application's library loading behavior rather than system-level components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1546.009 for system path modification, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such flaws to establish persistent access. The affected versions indicate this vulnerability has been present for an extended period, suggesting that many organizations may be running vulnerable systems without awareness of the risk. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader assessment of industrial control system security, particularly in environments where LabVIEW is used for critical infrastructure monitoring or control functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting write access to directories in the application search path, deploying application whitelisting policies, and ensuring that LabVIEW installations are updated to the latest available versions. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable LabVIEW versions and apply appropriate controls to prevent unauthorized DLL insertion. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper library loading practices and demonstrates why security considerations should be integrated early in the software development lifecycle. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of application search path configurations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual DLL loading behavior or unauthorized file modifications in application directories can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in system libraries.