CVE-2024-4080 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in National Instruments' LabVIEW software, specifically within the tdcore.dll component. The root cause is an out-of-bounds write due to improper length checking, classified under CWE-787. This memory corruption flaw can lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution if successfully exploited. Exploitation requires an attacker to convince a user to open a specially crafted Virtual Instrument (VI) file, which triggers the vulnerability in the LabVIEW runtime. The vulnerability affects LabVIEW 2024 Q1 and all prior versions, indicating a broad range of impacted software versions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack vector is local (requiring local access), with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. The scope is unchanged, and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability is critical for environments where LabVIEW is used for automation, instrumentation, and control systems, as arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to compromise system integrity or exfiltrate sensitive data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-4080 can be significant, especially those in industrial automation, manufacturing, research institutions, and sectors relying on LabVIEW for data acquisition and control. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially disrupting critical infrastructure or intellectual property theft. Given LabVIEW's use in engineering and scientific environments, a successful attack might compromise the integrity of experimental data or control systems, leading to operational downtime or safety hazards. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious VI) means social engineering or insider threat vectors are relevant. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive research or proprietary process data, while integrity and availability impacts could affect production lines or testing environments. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits post-disclosure.

European organizations should implement targeted mitigations beyond generic patching advice. First, restrict LabVIEW usage to trusted personnel and enforce strict controls on opening VI files, including disabling or limiting the ability to open VIs from untrusted sources. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing to contain LabVIEW processes and limit the impact of potential exploitation. Conduct user awareness training focused on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious VI files. Monitor LabVIEW-related processes and system behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation should isolate systems running LabVIEW from broader enterprise networks to reduce lateral movement risk. Since no patches are currently linked, organizations should engage with NI for updates and apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tuned to detect memory corruption exploits and unusual LabVIEW activity. Finally, maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate potential data loss or system compromise.